Latest news with #MaricopaCountyBoardofSupervisors
21 hours ago
- Politics
Lawsuit centers on power struggle over elections in Arizona's most populous county
PHOENIX -- The top elections official in one of the nation's most pivotal swing counties is suing the Maricopa County governing board over allegations that it's attempting to gain more control over how elections are administered. County Recorder Justin Heap filed a lawsuit Thursday in state court with the backing of America First Legal, a conservative public interest group founded by Stephen Miller, who is now the White House deputy chief of staff. Heap, a former GOP state lawmaker who has questioned election administration in Arizona's most populous county, has been at odds with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for months over an agreement that would divide election operations between the two offices. After taking office in January, Heap terminated a previous agreement that was reached between his predecessor and the board. He claimed in his lawsuit it would have restrained his power to run elections by reducing funding and IT resources for the recorder's office. Last year's agreement also gave the board authority over early ballot processing, which drew criticism from Heap in his lawsuit. Heap is asking the court to undo what the lawsuit calls 'unlawful' actions by the board and to issue an order requiring the board to fund expenses he deems necessary. 'Despite their repeated misinformation and gaslighting of the public on these issues, defending the civil right to free, fair and honest elections for every Maricopa County voter isn't simply my job as county recorder, it's the right thing to do and a mission I'm fully committed to achieving,' Heap said in a statement Thursday. The board's chair and vice chair have called the legal challenge frivolous, saying Heap is wasting taxpayer money by going to court. Negotiations between the offices have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and the board said in a statement that it appeared things were going well after a meeting in April. It was only weeks later, the board said, that Heap came back with what he called a final offer that included dozens of changes. Heap claims in the lawsuit that the board rejected his proposed agreement in late May. In a statement, America First Legal says the board separately voted on a tentative budget that shifts Heap's key duties and underfunds the recorder's office. 'From day one, Recorder Heap has been making promises that the law doesn't allow him to keep," Board Chairman Thomas Galvin said. "Arizona election statutes delineate election administration between county boards of supervisors and recorders to ensure there are checks and balances, and Recorder Heap clearly doesn't understand the responsibilities of his position.' Following President Donald Trump's 2020 loss, Maricopa County became an epicenter for election conspiracy theories. Heap has stopped short of saying the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen, but he has said the state's practices for handling early ballots are insecure and has questioned how ballots are transported, handled and stored after they are submitted. Last year, Heap proposed an unsuccessful bill to remove Arizona from a multistate effort to maintain voter lists. Heap's predecessor, Stephen Richer, was rebuked in some GOP circles for defending the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2022 elections, in which Democrats including former President Joe Biden and Gov. Katie Hobbs won by razor-thin margins. Trump won Arizona in 2024, along with the other battleground states.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawsuit centers on power struggle over elections in Arizona's most populous county
PHOENIX (AP) — The top elections official in one of the nation's most pivotal swing counties is suing the Maricopa County governing board over allegations that it's attempting to gain more control over how elections are administered. County Recorder Justin Heap filed a lawsuit Thursday in state court with the backing of America First Legal, a conservative public interest group founded by Stephen Miller, who is now the White House deputy chief of staff. Heap, a former GOP state lawmaker who has questioned election administration in Arizona's most populous county, has been at odds with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for months over an agreement that would divide election operations between the two offices. After taking office in January, Heap terminated a previous agreement that was reached between his predecessor and the board. He claimed in his lawsuit it would have restrained his power to run elections by reducing funding and IT resources for the recorder's office. Last year's agreement also gave the board authority over early ballot processing, which drew criticism from Heap in his lawsuit. Heap is asking the court to undo what the lawsuit calls 'unlawful' actions by the board and to issue an order requiring the board to fund expenses he deems necessary. 'Despite their repeated misinformation and gaslighting of the public on these issues, defending the civil right to free, fair and honest elections for every Maricopa County voter isn't simply my job as county recorder, it's the right thing to do and a mission I'm fully committed to achieving,' Heap said in a statement Thursday. The board's chair and vice chair have called the legal challenge frivolous, saying Heap is wasting taxpayer money by going to court. Negotiations between the offices have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and the board said in a statement that it appeared things were going well after a meeting in April. It was only weeks later, the board said, that Heap came back with what he called a final offer that included dozens of changes. Heap claims in the lawsuit that the board rejected his proposed agreement in late May. In a statement, America First Legal says the board separately voted on a tentative budget that shifts Heap's key duties and underfunds the recorder's office. 'From day one, Recorder Heap has been making promises that the law doesn't allow him to keep," Board Chairman Thomas Galvin said. "Arizona election statutes delineate election administration between county boards of supervisors and recorders to ensure there are checks and balances, and Recorder Heap clearly doesn't understand the responsibilities of his position.' Following President Donald Trump's 2020 loss, Maricopa County became an epicenter for election conspiracy theories. Heap has stopped short of saying the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen, but he has said the state's practices for handling early ballots are insecure and has questioned how ballots are transported, handled and stored after they are submitted. Last year, Heap proposed an unsuccessful bill to remove Arizona from a multistate effort to maintain voter lists. Heap's predecessor, Stephen Richer, was rebuked in some GOP circles for defending the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2022 elections, in which Democrats including former President Joe Biden and Gov. Katie Hobbs won by razor-thin margins. Trump won Arizona in 2024, along with the other battleground states.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Lawsuit centers on power struggle over elections in Arizona's most populous county
PHOENIX (AP) — The top elections official in one of the nation's most pivotal swing counties is suing the Maricopa County governing board over allegations that it's attempting to gain more control over how elections are administered. County Recorder Justin Heap filed a lawsuit Thursday in state court with the backing of America First Legal, a conservative public interest group founded by Stephen Miller, who is now the White House deputy chief of staff. Heap , a former GOP state lawmaker who has questioned election administration in Arizona's most populous county, has been at odds with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for months over an agreement that would divide election operations between the two offices. After taking office in January, Heap terminated a previous agreement that was reached between his predecessor and the board. He claimed in his lawsuit it would have restrained his power to run elections by reducing funding and IT resources for the recorder's office. Last year's agreement also gave the board authority over early ballot processing, which drew criticism from Heap in his lawsuit. Heap is asking the court to undo what the lawsuit calls 'unlawful' actions by the board and to issue an order requiring the board to fund expenses he deems necessary. 'Despite their repeated misinformation and gaslighting of the public on these issues, defending the civil right to free, fair and honest elections for every Maricopa County voter isn't simply my job as county recorder, it's the right thing to do and a mission I'm fully committed to achieving,' Heap said in a statement Thursday. The board's chair and vice chair have called the legal challenge frivolous, saying Heap is wasting taxpayer money by going to court. Negotiations between the offices have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and the board said in a statement that it appeared things were going well after a meeting in April. It was only weeks later, the board said, that Heap came back with what he called a final offer that included dozens of changes. Heap claims in the lawsuit that the board rejected his proposed agreement in late May. In a statement, America First Legal says the board separately voted on a tentative budget that shifts Heap's key duties and underfunds the recorder's office. 'From day one, Recorder Heap has been making promises that the law doesn't allow him to keep,' Board Chairman Thomas Galvin said. 'Arizona election statutes delineate election administration between county boards of supervisors and recorders to ensure there are checks and balances, and Recorder Heap clearly doesn't understand the responsibilities of his position.' Following President Donald Trump's 2020 loss, Maricopa County became an epicenter for election conspiracy theories. Heap has stopped short of saying the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen, but he has said the state's practices for handling early ballots are insecure and has questioned how ballots are transported, handled and stored after they are submitted. Last year, Heap proposed an unsuccessful bill to remove Arizona from a multistate effort to maintain voter lists. Heap's predecessor, Stephen Richer , was rebuked in some GOP circles for defending the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2022 elections, in which Democrats including former President Joe Biden and Gov. Katie Hobbs won by razor-thin margins. Trump won Arizona in 2024, along with the other battleground states. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lawsuit centers on power struggle over elections in Arizona's most populous county
PHOENIX (AP) — The top elections official in one of the nation's most pivotal swing counties is suing the Maricopa County governing board over allegations that it's attempting to gain more control over how elections are administered. County Recorder Justin Heap filed a lawsuit Thursday in state court with the backing of America First Legal, a conservative public interest group founded by Stephen Miller, who is now the White House deputy chief of staff. Heap, a former GOP state lawmaker who has questioned election administration in Arizona's most populous county, has been at odds with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for months over an agreement that would divide election operations between the two offices. After taking office in January, Heap terminated a previous agreement that was reached between his predecessor and the board. He claimed in his lawsuit it would have restrained his power to run elections by reducing funding and IT resources for the recorder's office. Last year's agreement also gave the board authority over early ballot processing, which drew criticism from Heap in his lawsuit. Heap is asking the court to undo what the lawsuit calls 'unlawful' actions by the board and to issue an order requiring the board to fund expenses he deems necessary. 'Despite their repeated misinformation and gaslighting of the public on these issues, defending the civil right to free, fair and honest elections for every Maricopa County voter isn't simply my job as county recorder, it's the right thing to do and a mission I'm fully committed to achieving,' Heap said in a statement Thursday. The board's chair and vice chair have called the legal challenge frivolous, saying Heap is wasting taxpayer money by going to court. Negotiations between the offices have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, and the board said in a statement that it appeared things were going well after a meeting in April. It was only weeks later, the board said, that Heap came back with what he called a final offer that included dozens of changes. Heap claims in the lawsuit that the board rejected his proposed agreement in late May. In a statement, America First Legal says the board separately voted on a tentative budget that shifts Heap's key duties and underfunds the recorder's office. 'From day one, Recorder Heap has been making promises that the law doesn't allow him to keep,' Board Chairman Thomas Galvin said. 'Arizona election statutes delineate election administration between county boards of supervisors and recorders to ensure there are checks and balances, and Recorder Heap clearly doesn't understand the responsibilities of his position.' Following President Donald Trump's 2020 loss, Maricopa County became an epicenter for election conspiracy theories. Heap has stopped short of saying the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen, but he has said the state's practices for handling early ballots are insecure and has questioned how ballots are transported, handled and stored after they are submitted. Last year, Heap proposed an unsuccessful bill to remove Arizona from a multistate effort to maintain voter lists. Heap's predecessor, Stephen Richer, was rebuked in some GOP circles for defending the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2022 elections, in which Democrats including former President Joe Biden and Gov. Katie Hobbs won by razor-thin margins. Trump won Arizona in 2024, along with the other battleground states.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maricopa County Board of name Kiana Sears new Mesa senator
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed a former Mesa Public Schools Governing Board member to finish the remaining state Senate term in Legislative District 9. Kiana Sears beat out former Mesa Councilman Ryan Winkle and Dr. Laura Metcalfe, an East Valley Institute of Technology Governing Board member, for the job vacated by Sen. Eva Burch, who resigned March 14 after winning election in November. Sears, whose district includes part of West Mesa and northeast Tempe, will come into the Legislature as it nears the critical end of the 2025 session. The Republican-controlled Legislature will soon be jostling with Gov. Hobbs over a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. 'I served 10 years in the Arizona Legislature,' Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee said at the March 26 meeting. 'I have some words of wisdom: My advice would be don't just do something. Stand there and listen. There is so much to take in. 'Do not be discouraged. Work your hardest and meet with everyone who wishes to meet with you and you will be a better legislator.' Supervisor Mark Stewart, a former Chandler councilman, said that all three candidates came highly qualified and deeply committed to public service. He said that he received hundreds of positive comments about them and that he was grateful for the LD 9 Democrats for nominating them. Because Burch was a Democrat, the board has to fill the position with another Democrat. Burch, a registered nurse, said she couldn't afford the $24,000 annual salary legislators earn. Steward, whose district includes part of Mesa, said it was a difficult decision to make but after thoughtful deliberation Sears was picked because of her 'exceptional leadership, deep understanding of key issues like water, housing and education.' She also has a lifelong record of community service, he added. Sears has nearly 30 years of experience in public policy, government relations and civic engagement, according to the county. Sears, the director of Community Connection and Partnerships at Arizona State University, opted not to run for a third term on the school board in November. Instead she unsuccessfully sought the judge's job for North Mesa Justice Court. Supervisor Steve Gallardo noted that he and two others on the dais - Brophy McGee and Debbie Lesko - all formerly served in the Legislature. 'We all agree on the importance of this position,' Gallardo said. 'The Legislature is so critical on the work that they do. 'It's a tough job but it's really important to have people that are on the Legislature that are willing to work on behalf of not only the legislative district but on behalf of the entire state – folks that are going to dive into very tough issues and be able to really work and hammer out good pieces of legislation.' Gallardo added that he knows all three candidates well and considers all three are qualified to do the job. 'That's what makes these appointments so hard,' said Gallardo, the sole Democrat on the board. 'But yes, I totally agree with Supervisor Stewart. Kiana Sears would be an excellent member in the Legislature.' Supervisor Lesko, who also served a term in Congress as a representative, noted the job's salary. 'It's a fun job and it's an interesting job,' Lesko said. 'It's a low-paying job. It pays $24,000 a year. They claim that it's part time. Believe me it's not part time just like they say this job is part time. It's not really part time. So I congratulate her and wish her the best.' 'I don't think I've seen an LD vacancy get more attention and interest than this one,' said Board Chairman Thomas Gavin, whose District 2 includes the part of Mesa not represented by Stewart. 'I received more phone calls from folks I know that in any other vacancy and we have done a lot. In my three, four years, we've probably done 30 to 40 of these.' How Sears handled her 'job interview' Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin sent a list of questions for the three candidates vying for the vacant state Senate seat that represents Mesa. The following are excerpts from those questions and Kiana Sears' responses. The full questions and responses are at Q: How can you assure the Board of Supervisors that, if appointed, you will not engage in disorderly behavior but will conduct yourself in a manner consistent with a proper code of ethics? A: I am a very proud academic and professional public administrator, with exceptional character and integrity who has served in this capacity for over 25-plus years….I can assure the Board of Supervisors that if appointed, I will not engage in disorderly behavior and will conduct myself in a manner consistent with a proper code of ethics. …I lead with love because I believe most of the issues affecting our communities start with a lack of love for yourself and a lack of love for others. I hold myself to a higher standard because of my values and morals, which are reinforced by my faith. …My life and career are heavily influenced by my favorite scripture, 'To whom much is given much is required.' I live, love, and serve all of the members of my community guided by this principle. Q: If you have served in elected office before, please detail any ethical or disciplinary actions related to your term in office. Please provide context on the events that led to those actions and what the outcome was regarding those proceedings. A: I do not believe I have experienced any ethical violations or disciplinary actions related to my term in office. Q: Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, there continues to be a dramatic increase in anti-Semitism, around the world and in Arizona. The disturbing rise of anti-Semitism can be found in all segments of society, on both ends of the political spectrum. … What will you do to combat and condemn anti-Semitism in our community? A: This work is not new to me, so I will continue the work I have been doing in the community for over 20 years. Long before these tumultuous times, I have been a friend and partner to Arizona's Jewish community, Arizona's Anti-Defamation League and Arizona State University's Hillel student organization. I love people and this is not a political game. I have friends in the community who I love. As a community and civil rights leader, I am actively engaged in the work of ending discrimination and committing myself to the Anti-Defamation League's mission, 'to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.' I have been a part of ensuring Mesa and East Valley Schools participate in 'No Place for Hate.' During this most difficult time I have been visible and have met with ADL leaders to discuss the need of ASU's Hillel chapter to be connected with Arizona's local ADL. I will also participate in the ADL's Desert Regional Conference in April. 4. Q: The housing crisis is an important issue in Arizona, and in LD 9. There have been recent attempts at the legislature to overhaul zoning laws. What reforms do you think the Legislature can get passed to address the housing issue? A: The housing crisis is complex and needs to be addressed on many levels. This is an area in which I am interested in delving into the data the Legislature's research staff has put together. I have worked with Rapid ReHousing, using models studied in Washington that have proven to be unsuccessful in Arizona. Q: In recent cycles, election volunteers were under considerable pressure because of state election laws that drag out ballot processing and tabulating for up to two weeks after election day. Reform is sorely needed. What reforms do you think are essential to speed up the tabulation of votes by election night? A: Vote tabulation requires an approach with several mechanisms. First, we should invest in modern, secure ballot-processing equipment capable of handling higher volumes of ballots without sacrificing accuracy. Second, we need to streamline state election laws that prolong processing, such as allowing earlier counting of mail-in ballots under strict security measures and updating deadlines so results can be delivered more quickly. Arizona also needs additional training for our dedicated paid poll workers, whose service is vital to our democracy, no matter whose name is on the ballot.
