Maricopa County hands election denier control over early voting and drop boxes

Key Points:

• Maricopa County officials reached a settlement ending a yearlong dispute over election control, granting Recorder Justin Heap authority over early voting while the Board of Supervisors retains control of Election Day operations and ballot counting.
• Heap's office will select early voting sites and drop box locations, but the board will determine their number and funding, requiring at least one early voting site per five Election Day polling places through 2029.
• The settlement covers voter registration, ballot mailing, signature verification, and ballot curing under Heap's office, while the board oversees early election boards, ballot tabulation, and official canvassing, with funding for new staff and a separate voter registration system.
• The agreement follows tensions stemming from Heap's unfounded claims of election fraud in 2020 and legal battles, with the Arizona Supreme Court intervening to prevent disruption in the upcoming primary election.
• The settlement, approved by the board despite Democratic opposition, requires formal adoption by a superior court judge and appoints a special master to resolve future disputes, dismissing ongoing lawsuits and court orders.