Arizona Supreme Court sides with Maricopa County Recorder Heap in election fight
The Arizona Supreme Court has sided with Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap in his ongoing election fight with the county’s Board of Supervisors.
Heap won a significant victory in a lower court in April after he sued the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over allegations they usurped his authority and took away his access to information technology staff and systems he needs to run the office.
But the Arizona Court of Appeals paused that ruling last month over concerns it would require the board and recorder to make significant changes to election systems and processes — including splitting up a key voter database — on the eve of July 21 primary elections.
In a split decision, the appellate court pointed to the Purcell Principle, U.S. Supreme Court precedent that essentially states courts should avoid making significant changes immediately before upcoming elections.
https://www.kjzz.org/elections/2026-07-07/arizona-supreme-court-sides-with-maricopa-county-recorder-heap-in-election-fight