Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Halts Automatic Mailings of Ballots by Recorder

By Staff Reporter |

Maricopa County officials have determined that ballots will not be mailed automatically to voters who have not requested them for the upcoming special election. This decision follows a failed proposal from County Recorder Justin Heap, who had advocated for broader ballot mailing.

During Monday’s informal meeting, the county’s board of supervisors voted against Heap’s initiative, which aimed to include voters not listed on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL). Board Chair Thomas Galvin described the proposal as “bizarre” and expressed concerns about the potential impact on election security. He stated that ballots should only be mailed to voters who either signed up for the AEVL or made a one-time request for an early ballot.

Galvin emphasized the risks of mailing unsolicited ballots, likening the approach to “opening a can of worms.” Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of maintaining fairness in the election process by preventing arbitrary mailing practices.

Interestingly, the Arizona Republican Party aligned with the board’s decision, voicing their commitment to safe and secure elections. The party’s statement reinforced the notion that mailing unsolicited ballots does not contribute to election integrity, a principle that Galvin also affirmed, calling Heap’s proposal “reckless.”

Despite the board’s confidence in their decision, some critics, including election integrity activist Merissa Hamilton, labeled the move as disenfranchisement. Hamilton argued that denying mail-in ballots could impact a small number of voters who live far from polling locations, potentially violating federal law.

The upcoming primary election is scheduled for July 15, followed by the general election on September 23. The registration deadline for voters is June 16, with the final day to request a ballot set for July 7. Voters are encouraged to drop off their mail-in ballots in person at polling places due to timing concerns.

This special election includes eight candidates vying for the Congressional District 7 seat, previously held by the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva. The district spans parts of several counties, including Maricopa, Yuma, and Pima.

The full meeting from Monday’s board session is available for viewing online.