Overview
- The Board of Supervisors and County Recorder Justin Heap approved a mediated settlement Tuesday that gives the recorder control of early voting and gives the board responsibility for emergency voting, election‑day operations, ballot tabulation and canvassing.
- The board agreed to transfer more than $20 million to the recorder’s office for equipment, early‑voting staff and IT work, with about $15 million set aside to develop a separate voter database for the recorder.
- Last week the Arizona Supreme Court ordered a 12‑point interim plan for the primary that expanded the recorder’s access, but reporting says Heap’s office appears to be abandoning that court plan as part of the settlement.
- The dispute has included a range of operational controversies — security video showing removal of a pre‑tabulation scanner, HR and special‑prosecutor reviews, and mis‑mailed voter materials — which officials say have strained logistics and raised voter‑confidence concerns.
- A Maricopa Superior Court judge must still sign the agreement and Judge Christopher Coury will serve as special master as county officials finalize who runs what before the July 21 primary and lay groundwork for the November general election.