Maricopa County supervisor calls for inquiry into recorder’s claim of Phoenix mail facility closure

A day before 1.9 million early ballots go out to Maricopa County voters, the U.S. Postal Service is contradicting the official in charge of early voting, saying it never closed the Phoenix mail facility blamed for potential ballot delays.

Recorder Justin Heap made the claim Sept. 30 while presenting his early voting plan to the Board of Supervisors.

He warned voters that mailed ballots could be delayed.

“There is going to be somewhat of a delay in the mail going in and out. That doesn’t have to do with our office. It has to do with the post office,” Heap told the board members. “Many people may not be aware, but the post office closed down their central facility in Phoenix a year ago, which means now everything is routed through San Diego. So that can add a few days to the mail.”

No supervisor questioned the claim during the meeting.

On Monday, Supervisor Thomas Galvin posted video of Heap’s remarks on X, writing that the board “needs to inquire now.”

ICYMI Here’s video of what Justin Heap testified to the Board of Supervisors last week on his Election Plan: “There’s GOING TO BE a delay in the mail… Post Office CLOSED their central facility in Phoenix… now EVERYTHING is routed in San Diego.” Obvi, BOS needs to inquire now https://t.co/fWeRZEVp3g

— Thomas Galvin: Maricopa County Brd of Supervisors (@ThomasGalvin) October 6, 2026

Postal Service disputes Phoenix mail closure claim

“The Postal Service has not closed any Phoenix-area processing facilities and has more than enough capacity to successfully process local Election Mail volume,” USPS spokesperson Sherry Patterson told KTAR News 92.3 FM in a statement.

Patterson said the Postal Service is confident it will deliver election mail successfully this year, as it has in past elections. As Election Day nears, USPS will follow the same procedures it has used in previous federal elections to expedite completed ballots to election offices, she said.

About 1.9 million early ballots are scheduled to be mailed to Maricopa County voters Wednesday, Heap said. Both he and USPS urged voters to mail their ballots back by Oct. 27.

Ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, to be counted.

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