Maricopa County Supervisors Greenlight $480K Election Audit in Unanimous Vote

By Matthew Holloway |

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a budget of up to $480,000 for a comprehensive election audit, partnering with the Maricopa County Elections Department and County Recorder’s Office. This initiative aims to bolster confidence in the electoral process.

This funding will facilitate two independent reviews: one focusing on the technology utilized in elections, costing $80,000, and another assessing the election processes for $400,000. Details emerged from VoteBeat reporter Jen Fifield, who indicated that the reviews would engage outside firms through a standard Request for Proposal Process.

The technology review seeks to ensure that election equipment remains unaltered and cannot connect to the internet. The last extensive audit of the tabulation equipment occurred in 2021, though upgrades have been made since then.

Investigators will delve into key aspects of the election process, including physical security, chain of custody, and tabulation methods, in the process review. The oversight will be entirely managed by the Maricopa County Internal Audit Department, ensuring independence from Board and staff influences.

Thomas Galvin, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, expressed his commitment to transparency in a statement. He said, “We want to continue expanding transparency with the public and make adjustments where they are necessary. I believe this comprehensive review, coupled with action from the state legislature to reform outdated laws, will give voters more confidence and ultimately strengthen American democracy.”

In a subsequent X post, Galvin reaffirmed the Board’s decision to engage an independent party to assess election procedures, underscoring a commitment to operational excellence.

Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee emphasized the board’s faith in Maricopa County’s election integrity while highlighting the review’s potential to enhance voter confidence. Supervisor Mark Stewart added that the county deserves exemplary elections; he reiterated the board’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

The findings of the auditors will be released publicly, and the board has pledged that these reports will remain unaltered. Galvin also took the opportunity to critique the past Cyber Ninjas audit from 2022, vowing that this new approach would pave the way for meaningful electoral reforms.

Despite the constructive developments, the meeting concluded abruptly after heated discussions arose among public commenters. Galvin noted that the discord stemmed from ongoing tensions between himself and Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap over past agreements regarding election responsibilities.

Despite the meeting’s abrupt ending, Supervisors Stewart and Lesko stayed behind to engage with the remaining members of the public, showcasing a commitment to community interaction in the wake of the board’s significant decision.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.