Maricopa County Election Control Dispute Moves to Mediation
Maricopa County’s ongoing legal tussle over election management has taken a new turn as a judge has directed the involved parties to seek a mediated resolution. For over a year, County Recorder Justin Heap and the Board of Supervisors have been at odds, culminating in a courtroom battle last summer.
The conflict began when Heap accused the board of unlawfully overstepping its bounds, prompting him to file a lawsuit. Recently, Judge Scott Blaney ruled in Heap’s favor, noting that the board had improperly withheld IT resources from his office. This decision aimed to clarify the state’s complex election law framework that divides responsibilities between county recorders and supervisors.
Despite the ruling, tensions remain high. Both parties claim the other is preventing a satisfactory resolution. As Judge Blaney has encouraged, “As I stressed before, please keep talking to each other,” he remarked, acknowledging the slim chance of an out-of-court settlement but expressing hope nonetheless.
With a primary election approaching, the urgency to resolve this conflict is increasing. On Tuesday, Judge Blaney mandated a mediation meeting with Judge Christopher Coury set for June 22, just days before early voting begins.
In a move that stirred controversy, Heap’s attorney, James Rogers, proposed conservative attorney Cleta Mitchell as a mediator. Known for her ties to President Donald Trump and involvement in post-2020 election activities, Mitchell’s potential involvement was met with resistance from the board’s legal team, who labeled her as “overtly biased.”
For further details, visit KJZZ’s coverage on the ruling and ongoing power struggle.
