Maricopa County supervisor worried about recorder’s signature process

PHOENIX — Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin said Thursday he is concerned that Recorder Justin Heap’s changes to ballot review procedures could jeopardize the accuracy of the 2026 elections.

“When he explains the signature verification process, it gives me pause,” he added. “What I’m really worried about … is a lot of valid votes being rejected in July and November,” Galvin told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

This week, Galvin was the lone “no” vote against a $550,000 midyear adjustment Heap requested to expand his new signature verification system. Specifically, it pays for 150 workstations for signature verification and curing.

The biggest concern for Galvin was pouring taxpayer cash into Heap’s altered verification process, which the Republican supervisor believes already produced troubling results.

“Last November, we had another … election in which the ratio of votes that were rejected by his office either doubled or tripled,” Galvin said. “And I’ve been asking [Heap] why that was the case. I have not been given a satisfactory answer.”

Galvin: The law of ‘broad characteristics’

Galvin said state law lays out the basic criteria for comparing a voter’s signature, and he believes Heap is using a stricter method than what the law allows, but isn’t explaining what that new criteria is.

“The law says that when you’re examining signatures, it’s broad characteristics,” he said. “Those are the elements of the law you have to follow.”

Even while disagreeing with Heap’s approach, Galvin acknowledged the recorder has statutory control over signature verification.

“That is the way he’s going to do his job. I respect that because he was put in there by the voters,” he said. “But I have a job … when we vote on the budget for these different offices. It’s incumbent upon me as an elected official to ask those questions.”

Galvin stresses need for cooperation

Election duties are split between county supervisors and recorders under state law, but Heap and the Maricopa County board have been unable to reach a deal on a Shared Services Agreement since he took office in January 2025.

Heap filed a lawsuit in June 2025, accusing the five-member elected board of overstepping its authority in its SSA proposal.

“Election duties are bifurcated … and that’s in all 15 counties,” he said. Without full cooperation, he warned, election workers cannot prepare properly.

Asked how to balance security with ensuring valid votes are counted, Galvin was blunt:

“The balance is following the law.”

Galvin said he hopes Heap will begin providing more complete information as the county approaches major elections. But he emphasized that the board will continue pressing for answers.

“We have to make sure we’re running a good election,” he said.

Early voting for the July 21 primary elections begins on June 24.

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