Arizona Budget Allocates Millions to Maricopa County Recorder Amid Supervisor Showdown

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.

Arizona lawmakers are allocating $4.1 million to Maricopa County’s Recorder Justin Heap for election-related purposes as he seeks more funding and authority over local elections. This allocation comes as part of the fiscal 2026 budget passed by the Republican-led Senate, which is now headed to the House for final approval.

Additionally, Yuma County will receive $1 million to manage operating expenses. This marks a significant disparity as no other recorder’s office received similar funding. Heap, who took office in January, has been at odds with the Maricopa County supervisors over election control, prompting lawmakers to ensure in the budget bill that supervisors cannot reduce his office’s funding.

Amidst this tension, Maricopa County supervisors have proposed a budget that cuts Heap’s office funding by $4.4 million, stemming from a prior agreement that placed IT staff under supervisory control. They have set aside $5.1 million in contingency funds for Heap’s office, but he has rejected the proposed agreement, leading to heightened conflict. Heap is currently suing the supervisors to regain control of the county’s election IT staff, which manages vital voter roll functions.

Heap’s desire to manage early in-person voting has raised concerns, with estimates predicting additional costs of $13 million to $15 million, which could burden the county’s budget. Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee voiced her apprehension that these costs might detract from essential public services.

The trajectory of this funding has sparked questions regarding the motivations behind its inclusion in the budget. Some Republican lawmakers have backed Heap openly, yet it remains unclear who specifically initiated the funding line item. State Sen. Jake Hoffman attempted to amend the budget to grant Heap control of the IT staff but was unsuccessful.

Communications surrounding these financial decisions have also raised eyebrows. Heap did not confirm whether he requested the funds, and a public records request yielded no relevant documents. The House and Senate Republican leadership did not provide comments on the matter, while Senate Democrats characterized the allocation as a Republican-driven decision.

Heap expressed gratitude for the funding, deeming it essential for his office, which he claims has been inadequately financed by the supervisors.

Other counties have expressed interest in securing similar budget allocations. Yuma County Recorder David Lara noted that he sought extra funds to potentially hire outside counsel for legal matters involving election duties. Just like Maricopa, Yuma County’s supervisors had previously diminished the election authority previously exercised by Lara’s predecessor.

Calls for equitable funding have been voiced by recorders statewide, advocating for necessary financial resources to uphold election standards mandated by the Arizona Secretary of State. Pinal County Recorder Dana Lewis emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for all county recorders to maintain secure and accurate elections.

Jen Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, urged lawmakers to address the funding disparities that exist between counties, highlighting the necessity for enhanced technology resources across the state.