Maricopa County recorder threatens possible felony charges over drop box dispute
The board approved secure drop box sites as Heap’s attorney warned workers could face felony charges under Arizona law.
- On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved ballot drop box locations for the July 21 primary, defying a criminal warning from County Recorder Justin Heap's office.
- Heap's attorney, James Rogers, argued in a letter that Arizona law reserves drop box authority exclusively for the recorder, warning that employees staffing them could face felony charges.
- While Heap alleged he was "never consulted," election staff maintained they held months of planning meetings regarding these sites, with drop box locations discussed dating back to February.
- Supervisor Steve Gallardo condemned the recorder as "just plain out incompetent," while Board chair Kate Brophy McGee denounced the threat of prosecuting staff for merely performing their duties.
- The conflict highlights a deepening rift between the Republican-majority Board and Heap, a MAGA Republican, with county staff warning that persistent fighting could delay critical 2026 election planning.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap threatens felony charges over ‘unauthorized’ drop boxes
A ballot drop box stands outside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is challenging the board of supervisors’ authority to set drop box locations, escalating a fight over election control ahead of the 2026 midterms. (Photo by Jen Fifield/Votebeat)A messy and longstanding feud between Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over cont…
Swing state election crisis brews with felony threats against poll workers
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Arizona’s free newsletter he...
Recorder Accuses Maricopa County Board Of “Political Theater” Over Dropboxes
On Wednesday, a dispute between Maricopa County Recorder and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors reached a boiling point leaving the Recorder no choice but to decline a last-minute request to appear before them. Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap declined the demand that he appear before the Board to answer questions regarding a proposed resolution...
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