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Maricopa County Settles Election Lawsuit, Appoints Heap, Budgets $15 M

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Maricopa County officials resolved a year-long lawsuit by signing a joint election-oversight settlement ahead of the July 21 primary.
Recorder Justin Heap signed the settlement and will oversee early voting and ballot-drop-box placement.
The Board of Supervisors signed the settlement, will handle Election Day voting and tabulation, and allocated $15 million for a new IT system and staff.
Democratic Supervisor Steve Gallardo said the deal gives Heap control of the November election.

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Story summary

Maricopa County officials resolved a year-long lawsuit by signing a joint election-oversight settlement ahead of the July 21 primary.
Recorder Justin Heap signed the settlement and will oversee early voting and ballot-drop-box placement.
The Board of Supervisors signed the settlement, will handle Election Day voting and tabulation, and allocated $15 million for a new IT system and staff.
Democratic Supervisor Steve Gallardo said the deal gives Heap control of the November election.