Maricopa County Board orders Recorder Heap to answer questions or face removal

Board cites months of stonewalling on budget requests and inflammatory statements

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to formally order County Recorder Justin Heap to answer their questions about his budget requests and controversial statements, or face potential removal from office. The board says Heap has been uncooperative for over a year, and they believe he is hiding something that affects elections in the county. Heap has until February 18th to comply with the order, or the board could declare his office vacant under state statute.

Why it matters

Maricopa County is one of the largest election jurisdictions in the country, and cooperation between the Recorder's office and the County Board is essential for running smooth elections. The dispute between the two sides comes as Arizona prepares for a high-stakes 2026 election cycle, with all statewide offices on the ballot. The outcome in Maricopa could sway the results of presidential and statewide races.

The details

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to order County Recorder Justin Heap to answer their questions about his budget requests and inflammatory statements he has made, such as claiming the board disenfranchised voters. The board says Heap has been uncooperative for over a year, ignoring requests from Supervisor Debbie Lesko. Failure to comply with the order by the February 18th deadline could result in the board removing Heap from office and declaring his position vacant under state law.

  • The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted on the order on February 12, 2026.
  • Heap has until February 18, 2026 to respond to the board's order.

The players

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Maricopa County, Arizona, responsible for overseeing county elections in cooperation with the County Recorder.

Justin Heap

The current Maricopa County Recorder, elected in 2024 after defeating the incumbent. Heap was previously a member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, a far-right group of state lawmakers.

Debbie Lesko

Maricopa County Supervisor and Vice Chair of the Board, a conservative Republican who voted for Heap in the 2024 election but has cited his uncooperative behavior over the past year.

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What they’re saying

“Elected officials can't operate in secret. They have to explain what they're doing, especially when they're affecting ballots and elections.”

— Debbie Lesko, Maricopa County Supervisor and Board Vice Chair (12news.com)

“We're still a team. We may be having a fight, but in the end, it's a family fight. We do need to work together and cooperate.”

— Justin Heap, Maricopa County Recorder (12news.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on February 18th whether to allow Heap to remain in office or declare the position vacant if he fails to comply with the board's order.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the importance of cooperation and transparency between election officials, especially in a high-profile county like Maricopa that could sway statewide and national elections. The outcome could have significant implications for the integrity of Arizona's 2026 elections.