Just days after being accused of entering into a secret deal to cut the County Recorder’s Office out of many administrative duties related to conducting elections, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved funding for an independent outside review of election administration and technology.
BREAKING: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors just voted to authorize funding for the comprehensive election audit that has been one of my highest priorities in office. It’s time to get this done for the men and women we serve. pic.twitter.com/PTFcXtrNeG
— Debbie Lesko (@DebbieLesko) February 26, 2025
The review will include extensive research about key aspects of the election process, including physical security, chain of custody, and tabulation.
Included in the review is a technology audit, similar to the audit commissioned by Maricopa County in 2021, to make sure election equipment does not contain malicious code and confirm that election equipment is not connected to the internet. Some criticized Maricopa County’s 2021 audit for not addressing whether election equipment contained malicious code on election day or had the capacity to connect to the internet.
The process will be overseen by the Maricopa County Internal Audit Department and will be free of Board and staff influence. Any company that believes it is qualified and can perform the work will have an opportunity to bid for the project.
“Maricopa County deserves best-in-class elections. Today, a united Board took action to invest in a comprehensive, independent review of election processes and procedures because we recognize the value of outside expertise,” said Supervisor Mark Stewart, District 1. “I hear it every day from friends and neighbors—they want a government that operates in plain view, that’s accountable to the people, and that jumps at the opportunity to get better. That’s what this comprehensive review is about, and I’m excited that we are moving forward with it on behalf of voters.”
“It’s not enough to say ‘trust us.’ Good government demands transparency and thoroughness in making sure taxpayers are getting what they paid for: in this case, fair and efficient elections,” said Supervisor Debbie Lesko, District 4. “I have been calling for an independent audit of elections since taking office, and I’m pleased that we are taking this important step to improve processes and enhance voter trust.”
“The last in-depth review of our tabulation equipment was completed in 2021 and the County has replaced and upgraded many components of our tabulation equipment. Since we have an off cycle with only smaller jurisdictional audits, now is the right time to perform another in-depth review,” said Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5.
It is expected that the technology audit will be finished in summer 2025 and parts of the comprehensive review will be completed in fall 2025. The County Board of Supervisors will release those findings in a public setting, without edits, revisions or changes. The auditors’ work will be theirs and theirs alone.
Heap Rejects “Secretive” Deal Richer Cut With Lame Duck Maricopa County Supervisors
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has called for “urgent action” by the Board of Supervisors because the secret deal cut by his predecessor with the Board of Supervisors is unenforceable, leaving upcoming elections in limbo.
Heap says he consulted with county attorneys on the matter “amid rising public outrage and increasing reports of misinformation being promulgated by Maricopa County Supervisors.”