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.”
So the new (allegedly pro-reform majority) Supervisors hesitate to back their new reformist Recorder in immediately cleaning up the elections mess that has made the county a national laughingstock? Instead they’re going for an “independent investigation” that’ll buy another year of delay – possibly more if the contract happens to go to some reliably see-no-cheating contractor? And we voters are supposed to happily go to sleep again in the meantime? I begin to sense the presence of a covert RINO making the real balance 3-2 anti-reform. My advice for that person: You have a LOT better chance of reelection by a less-narrow margin if you courageously support effective reform than if you go along with keeping the current broken system. Because with reform (and you backing it) we voters will decide. Against reform? The machine decides, and you may become disposable for their convenience at any time once you’ve burned your bridges with the voters. Free advice, not too late to take it – yet.
and in PIMA COUNTY – the thumb has been reinserted in the BUM and they liked it…
Considering the past Liberal voting records of Supervisors like Steve Gallardo and Kate Brophy-McGee, it would be wise for every entity monitoring election integrity issues, to watch this Board Of Supervisors very, very carefully. Don’t let having an “R” after her name, fool you. Kate Brophy-McGee had voted with Democrats and against Conservative legislation more than once while serving in the AZ State Legislature.
Gov. Hobbs keeps denying voters of Arizona freedom from Democrats cheating. No more mail in ballots!
Why am I still not trusting this move?
Not good enough. Heap should be the one overseeing this and should at least have all the resources and power that was vested in Richer. The BOS is compromised.
Expensive for a whitewash. It costs zero dollars to release the Cast Vote Record which has not been done this year. “Trust Us”