Maricopa County supervisor explains why she subpoenaed recorder staff members

PHOENIX – Maricopa County Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said she wants to hear directly from Recorder’s Office staffers who made allegations of voter disenfranchisement during a court hearing.

“This is about the information that was put forward under sworn testimony at the court. It conflicts with what we understand to be true,” Brophy McGee, chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s the Mike Broomhead on Friday.

The allegations of voter disenfranchisement were made during proceedings in the legal battle between the board and Recorder Justin Heap over who has control over what parts of the county’s election process.

“The recorder has a crucial part; we have a crucial part. We have to get that right on both sides,” Brophy McGee said.

Who did Maricopa County board chair subpoena?

She is trying subpoena Recorder Chief of Staff Sam Stone, Senior Voter Registration Director Janine Petty and Chief Information Officer Bryan Colby to testify before the Board of Supervisors.

Heap accused Brophy McGee of trying to intimidate his staff and filed a motion to block the subpoenas.

🚨 BREAKING ELECTION INTEGRITY UPDATE

My office is currently involved in an Election Integrity lawsuit against the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for their unlawful seizure of my statutory duties.

Late today, I learned that the Board has subpoenaed my staff — the same… pic.twitter.com/SN0wGcmlid

— Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap (@azjustinheap) February 4, 2026

“This is an apparent and naked attempt by the board to intimidate and bully county recorder staff and unduly influence the pending court ruling, all while the board continues to refuse to work in good faith with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office,” Heap said in a statement Tuesday.

A judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday based on Heap’s motion and said he won’t issue a final ruling until he hears from both sides.

Meanwhile, Brophy McGee said Friday it was “alarming” to hear allegations of voter disenfranchisement and ballots not being counted.

She explained that she issued the subpoenas in an effort to verify the claims and find out if there are policy changes the board needs to implement as it prepares for the 2026 elections.

“The focus is to find out what’s true and what’s not. Because it’s on that basis we will make our decisions relative to budget and to resources going forward and also managing elections,” she said.

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