Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the County Board of Supervisors are in an escalating fight over who controls election operations.
The Board invited Heap to public meetings; Heap refused, calling it “political theater.”
Meanwhile, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stepped in, telling the Board to ignore Heap’s claim of exclusive authority over ballot drop boxes.
This is an intra-Republican battle with potential consequences for the 2026 elections.
What’s Happening
The Players
| Role | Name | Party | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Recorder | Justin Heap | Republican | Claims exclusive authority over all election operations |
| Board Chair | Kate Brophy McGee | Republican | Leads Board opposition to Heap’s claims |
| Vice Chair | Debbie Lesko | Republican | Co-signed “Open Invitation” to Heap |
| Supervisor | Thomas Galvin | Republican | Called Heap’s actions “despicable” |
| Supervisor | Steve Gallardo | Democrat | Says Heap “can’t be trusted to run elections” |
| Supervisor | Mark Stewart | Republican | Voted against drop box plan (lone dissenter) |
The Core Conflict
Heap was elected in November 2024 and took office January 2025. He campaigned on “election integrity” and restoring what he claims are the Recorder’s proper authorities. The Board of Supervisors controls county budgets and contracts—including election infrastructure.
The flashpoint: A Service Site Agreement (SSA) that determines who controls election systems, ballot printing, voter registration databases, and drop box placement. Heap claims he has exclusive authority under Arizona law. The Board says they have concurrent powers.
Recent Developments (Last 24-48 Hours)
1. The “Open Invitation” Letter
What happened: Chair Brophy McGee and Vice Chair Lesko issued a public “Open Invitation” calling on Heap to “agree to public, recorded meetings to hammer out differences on behalf of voters.”
Why it matters: This was a PR move after Heap’s attorney threatened that election workers setting up Board-approved drop boxes could face felony charges (Class 5 felony = up to 2 years in prison).
Heap’s response: Rejected it. Called it “political theater” and said it was inappropriate to submit to “public examination on active legal disputes with virtually no notice.”
The Board’s counter: Accused Heap of “delegating his authority as an elected official to James Rogers” (his attorney, who also works for Trump-aligned America First Legal and is running for Arizona Legislature).
Chair Brophy McGee: “Who is running the recorder’s office? It’s not the elected official. It’s not Justin Heap. It’s James Rogers, and everything that we do must be approved by James Rogers.”
2. Attorney General Mayes Intervenes
Breaking: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (Democrat) sent a letter to the Board and Heap advising the Board to ignore Heap’s claim of exclusive authority on drop box establishment.
Key quote from Mayes: Heap’s counsel had made “unfounded threats of criminal liability.”
What this means: The state’s top law enforcement officer has sided with the Board against Heap’s legal theory—at least on drop boxes.
3. Supervisors Speak Out on Twitter
| Supervisor | Tweet Summary |
|---|---|
| @Steve_Gallardo | “Recorder Heap can’t be trusted to run elections. All he has done since taking office is lie and create chaos. He’s a pawn for Turning Point USA with no experience running major elections.” |
| @ThomasGalvin | “Who protests a house of worship?? Despicable” (unrelated to Heap, showing his social media activity) |
| @brahmresnik (quoting Galvin) | “‘We are stuck in this hamster wheel of the 2020 election’: Republican Supervisor Thomas Galvin with fiery response to GOP Recorder Justin Heap’s threat to election workers & volunteers.” |
4. The April Court Order Still Looms
Heap won a court ruling on April 16, 2026 that restored certain election authorities to his office. He’s now seeking contempt of court sanctions against the Board—asking for $100,000 per day fines if they don’t comply.
The Board claims they’ve complied. Heap says they haven’t. That hearing is pending.
What They’re Fighting Over
| Issue | Heap’s Position | Board’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Drop Boxes | Board must get his permission; he sets all locations | Board has authority to approve locations; he must collaborate |
| IT Systems | Full control over election databases and equipment | Shared control through Service Site Agreement |
| Ballot Chain of Custody | Recorder’s exclusive responsibility | Shared responsibility with Board oversight |
| Election Worker Training | He sets all standards and curriculum | Shared input through negotiated agreement |
| Signature Verification | His office has sole authority | Board has oversight role |
The Stakes
Immediate Concerns
- July 21, 2026 Primary Election is approaching. Election preparations are being delayed by this dispute.
- Felony threats against election workers have created a chilling effect. Who will volunteer if they face prison time?
- Voter confidence is eroding. Public fighting between Republican officials undermines trust.
Political Dimensions
- This is an intra-Republican fight. Heap is aligned with the “election integrity” movement (Turning Point USA, Trump-aligned America First Legal). The Board members are establishment Republicans.
- Steve Gallardo (the lone Democrat) is using this to attack Heap, but the conflict is primarily between Republicans.
- Mark Stewart voted against the drop box plan, suggesting some sympathy with Heap’s position—or at least concern about the process.
Historical Context
- The 2020 election in Maricopa County was heavily scrutinized, including a controversial “audit” by Cyber Ninjas that found no significant fraud.
- Heap’s predecessor, Stephen Richer (also Republican), had consolidated election duties in the Recorder’s office—Heap is trying to continue that trend but with more aggressive legal tactics.
- The Board is trying to maintain oversight authority that they believe is legally theirs.
Key Documents to Watch
- Attorney General Mayes’ Letter (just issued) – Advises Board they can ignore Heap’s authority claims
- April 16, 2026 Court Order – Restored certain powers to Heap; subject of contempt motion
- Heap’s Contempt Motion – Asking for $100,000/day fines against Board
- Service Site Agreement (SSA) – The contract that would settle these disputes if they could agree on terms
What Happens Next
| Possible Outcome | Likelihood | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Court imposes fines on Board | Medium | Would force Board to comply or appeal; could bankrupt county functions |
| Parties reach negotiated settlement | Medium | Would require Heap to drop aggressive tactics; Board to accept his authority on some issues |
| State legislature intervenes | Low | Would require new legislation defining authority split |
| Status quo until election | Medium | Continued dysfunction; election workers in legal limbo |
Sources
- Twitter/X posts: @maricopacounty, @DebbieLesko, @Steve_Gallardo, @ThomasGalvin, @brahmresnik, @azjustinheap
- News coverage: KJZZ, AZ Free News
- Court records: Maricopa County Superior Court (ongoing litigation)
- Official statements: Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, Board of Supervisors
Bottom Line for Citizens
Your county election officials are fighting amongst themselves while the July primary approaches. The Attorney General has weighed in against Heap. The Board wants public negotiations; Heap wants court-ordered authority. The practical effect is confusion, delay, and potential legal jeopardy for election workers who just want to run elections.
Key question: If the people charged with running elections can’t agree on who has authority, how can voters have confidence in the process?
It Is Our Duty: Standing for Righteousness in Maricopa County
Brothers and sisters, as Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” The escalating conflict between Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the Board of Supervisors reveals a troubling lack of unity and stewardship among those entrusted with our elections. This intra-Republican battle — with threats of felonies against election workers, public accusations, and intervention by Attorney General Kris Mayes — is not merely political theater. It strikes at the heart of honest governance and voter confidence as we approach the July 2026 Primary.
When elected officials fight over authority rather than serving with integrity, it erodes trust in the very systems meant to reflect justice and truth. We must pray for righteous resolution, that those in power would seek wisdom from above (James 3:17) rather than power, pride, or political alignment.
#MaricopaCounty #ElectionIntegrity #JustinHeap #MCBOS #ArizonaPolitics #2026Elections
