Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap accuses board of ‘stoking a lot of confusion’

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is blaming the Board of Supervisors for any confusion surrounding the upcoming election season.

He also addressed recent developments regarding drop box locations and his request to hold the board in contempt of court during an interview Thursday with KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

Heap said his office is prepared to handle its lawful election duties despite the board’s claims that it’s too close to the primaries to make the changes ordered by a judge.

“Unfortunately, the board, I think, is stoking a lot of confusion by continuing to fight this battle in court, by continuing to refuse to cooperate. So, unfortunately, the board has created the crisis,” the Republican recorder said.

Under state law, elected county supervisors and recorders share election duties. In June 2025, Heap sued to reclaim certain responsibilities that were taken from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office in a deal the board made with his predecessor, Stephen Richer.

Justin Heap’s dispute with board continues as primary election looms

In April, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney issued a ruling that mostly sided with Heap. The judge ordered the board to transfer funding, IT staff and some key functions — including management of ballot drop boxes and in-person early voting – back to the recorder’s office.

The board requested a stay, which Blaney rejected, and then filed an appeal. The case is still unresolved with early voting for the July 21 primary election starting on June 24.

The board is arguing that it’s too close to the election to make substantial changes to how it’s run, citing a doctrine known as the Purcell Principle, which is named after former Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell.

In fact, Purcell is seeking permission to file an amicus brief, aka a friend-of-the-court filing, supporting the board’s view as part of the appeal.

Heap, however, said it won’t take long for him and his team to take over their duties if the board would cooperate instead of fight in court.

The recorder said he’d like to enter into a temporary agreement to get through the primary and buy time to work out a long-term deal before the November general election.

“It’s the board which is currently stonewalling and delaying and asking the court essentially to not enforce the law, not make them comply with the court order through this election. I don’t think that’s necessary,” Heap said.

Justin Heap provides his side of drop box, contempt issues

Heap said his dispute with the board on authorizing drop box locations remains unresolved, but he pushed back on the supervisors’ claim that a letter his lawyer sent them on the matter constitutes a threat to have election workers arrested.

“There is no threat, really, to poll workers or anything, as the board has tried to spin this,” he said. “We simply told them what the law says, which is you cannot open unauthorized drop boxes.”

He said his intention was to get the board to delay voting on drop box locations until his office had more time to review the proposal. He also indicated that he doesn’t oppose the board’s drop box plan.

“If they will work with me and we can review and make agreements on these, we … probably will agree on … those drop box locations. But they can’t do it without the recorder’s approval,” he said.

Heap also addressed his request to Blaney to find the supervisors in contempt and fine them $100,000 a day for failing to follow the judge’s order. He said it was a necessary step to get the board to comply.

“It’s been 50 days since they still have not complied with those rulings, and they’re continuing to fight this in the appellate court,” Heap said.

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