Overview
- Judge Scott Blaney on Tuesday ordered Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the Board of Supervisors to meet with Judge Christopher Coury on June 22 to seek a negotiated fix before early ballots are mailed for the July primary.
- The court fight began after Heap sued the board last year and escalated after Blaney ruled in April that supervisors illegally withheld information technology staff and resources from the Recorder’s Office.
- Security video from March showing Recorder’s Office employees removing a pre‑tabulation scanner and ballot affidavit envelopes prompted an HR review and a special‑prosecutor criminal inquiry, and the county replaced the contested scanner.
- County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has challenged outside counsel’s role for the recorder, arguing only her office can appoint lawyers for county election matters while Heap’s team says outside counsel is needed to enforce court orders.
- If mediation fails, the case will return to court and the unresolved fights over staff, equipment access and legal control could delay early‑voting preparations and deepen public uncertainty about the July 21 primary.