Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Approves an ILLEGAL POWER GRAB Over Early Voting.
America First Legal addressed an unlawful act by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to set up early voting drop boxes.
NEW — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is attempting an ILLEGAL POWER GRAB over early voting.
They advanced a resolution this week to SET UP early voting drop boxes.
But Arizona law gives that power ONLY to the County Recorder.
They’ve been warned. pic.twitter.com/e5p5h3hiif
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) May 22, 2026
Arizona law is crystal clear.
A.R.S. § 16-542(A):
“The county recorder may establish… early voting locations… the recorder deems necessary.”
ONLY the recorder. NOT the board.
Arizona law is crystal clear.
A.R.S. § 16-542(A):
“The county recorder may establish… early voting locations… the recorder deems necessary.”
ONLY the recorder. NOT the board.
Early ballots must be “delivered or mailed to the county recorder.”
Drop boxes run by the board… pic.twitter.com/mrh5okgeiO
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) May 22, 2026
Setting up unauthorized drop boxes is a class 5 felony under A.R.S. § 16-1005(E).
Collecting early ballots without the Recorder’s authority is a class 6 felony under A.R.S. § 16-1005(H).
Setting up unauthorized drop boxes is a class 5 felony under A.R.S. § 16-1005(E).
Collecting early ballots without the Recorder’s authority is a class 6 felony under A.R.S. § 16-1005(H). pic.twitter.com/I1zdfELhFX
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) May 22, 2026
The law does not let the board create its own ballot drop-off system during early voting.
If Maricopa County officials want early-voting drop boxes, they must be established through the county recorder — the official Arizona law entrusts with that authority.
This isn’t a technicality — it’s a direct assault on the separation of powers and voter trust.
The board cannot seize power Arizona law gives to the recorder.
AFL has put the board’s lawyers on notice.
This isn’t a technicality — it’s a direct assault on the separation of powers and voter trust.
The board cannot seize power Arizona law gives to the recorder.
AFL has put the board’s lawyers on notice.
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) May 22, 2026
Note that the Board did approve the drop boxes in the meeting on May 20. According to Grok:
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Vote Centers and 12 monitored Drop Box locations for the July 21, 2026 Primary Election during their formal meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (not May 22).
This included 237 Vote Centers for Election Day and 12 monitored Drop Boxes for early ballots.
The vote followed a dispute with County Recorder Justin Heap, whose attorney sent a letter challenging the Board’s authority and warning of potential criminal liability (e.g., ballot harvesting) for using “unauthorized” drop boxes. The Board proceeded anyway, calling the threats inappropriate.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes later sided with the Board, rejecting Heap’s interpretation.
It’s good to know someone is standing up for the rule of law and the people of Maricopa County.
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