Maricopa County election settlement gives Justin Heap control | Newsmaker

This week’s Newsmaker details Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap's recent legal victory at the Arizona Supreme Court and a subsequent mediation agreement that resolves a long-standing power struggle over local election administration. The decision restores control of early in-person voting, voter registration, and signature verification to the recorder's office, reversing a previous transfer of authority to the Board of Supervisors. Under the new agreement, Heap is vowing to deliver a secure, lawful, and professional election experience for the people of Maricopa County during the primary and upcoming general elections. The dispute, which went on for a year and a half, originated when the outgoing board and recorder signed an agreement transferring staff and IT systems over to the board's control. Following the unanimous state Supreme Court ruling, a mediated settlement was reached, giving the recorder's office 24 IT positions and $15 million to build a separate information technology system.  While the board retains control over Election Day voting, tabulation, and emergency voting, Heap highlights that his office manages early voting, which historically represents about 83% of the county's total vote. Subscribe to FOX 10 Phoenix!    / @fox10phoenix   #politics #news #election #fox10phoenix #arizona #newsmaker FOX 10 Phoenix delivers breaking news, live events, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from Phoenix, Arizona and across the nation. Watch more FOX 10 Phoenix on YouTube:    • Newsmaker      • Arizona headlines      • National headlines      • Top Videos