Maricopa County: Legal voters' full ballots Likely illegally ignored in 2024 By recorder

Summary: In sworn testimony on January 26, 2026, Maricopa County Senior Director of Voter Registration Janine Petty revealed that legal voters who cast provisional ballots in the 2024 General Election—but timely provided required proof of citizenship or residency—were illegally disenfranchised, as their full ballots (including state and local races) were not pulled and counted per Arizona law. Despite her warnings to the prior administration under former Recorder Stephen Richer, officials refused to take corrective action. Subsequently, under new Recorder Justin Heap, a budget request for essential high-speed sorting equipment to prevent future occurrences was rejected by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, heightening the risk of ongoing voter disenfranchisement in future elections.

MARICOPA COUNTY – In stunning court testimony on January 26, 2026, Janine Petty, Senior Director of Voter Registration for Maricopa County, revealed that legal voters may have had their full ballots ignored during the 2024 General Election. This disclosure came during a hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court, amid an ongoing legal battle over election administration authority between the County Recorder's Office and the Board of Supervisors (BOS). The testimony highlights systemic issues in ballot processing and raises serious questions about compliance with Arizona election laws.

Key Details from the Testimony

Petty, a long-time employee of the Recorder's Office, testified under oath about the handling of provisional ballots in 2024. According to Arizona law, voters who cast provisional ballots but provide proof of citizenship or residency by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day are entitled to have their full ballots counted—not just federal races.

• Notification and Inaction: Petty stated that she informed the administration—then led by former Recorder Stephen Richer—of the need to pull and re-process these provisional ballots to ensure full counting. Despite her alerts, the administration declined to act, resulting in these voters being disenfranchised from local and state races on their ballots.

• Affected Voters: While exact numbers weren't specified in the testimony, Petty described scenarios where ballots were initially dispositioned as "federal-only" or rejected, but eligible for full status upon documentation submission. She noted that without pulling the envelopes, these ballots remained limited, violating voters' rights.

• Budget Request for Remedies: After Justin Heap took over as Recorder, Petty recommended purchasing high-speed sorting equipment to prevent future issues. This was included in a budget request to the BOS, accompanied by documentation warning of the 2024 disenfranchisement. However, under Chairman Thomas Galvin, the BOS rejected the request, prioritizing other projects.

The court hearing exposed shock from the BOS attorney upon learning of these details, underscoring potential retaliation against Heap, including a heated budget meeting later in the week involving Chairwoman Kate Brophy McGee and Supervisors Steve Gallardo and Thomas Galvin.

Background on the Legal Dispute

The testimony is part of a broader lawsuit filed by America First Legal in June 2025, challenging the BOS's control over election functions. Arizona statutes designate the Recorder as the primary officer for voter registration and election duties, but the BOS has withheld resources, including $1 million in federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds and $9 million in overall funding. An October 2024 Shared Services Agreement shifted resources to the BOS, prompting accusations of overreach.

A legislative amicus brief from August 2025 supported the Recorder's primacy, arguing that the BOS cannot interfere with statutory duties. During the hearing, BOS Elections Director Scott Jarrett claimed authority as an "other officer in charge of elections," a position contested as lacking formal appointment.

The court has urged negotiation, with briefs due by February 19, 2026, if no resolution is reached. This case affects over 60% of Arizona's voters in Maricopa County and could impact the 2026 elections.

Implications and Calls for Accountability

This revelation adds to nearly a decade of election controversies in Maricopa County, including chain-of-custody concerns and outdated systems exposing voter data. Petty emphasized the need for modern equipment to handle Election Day updates, warning of ongoing risks without action.

Voter advocates on social media are calling for:

• Subpoenas of former Recorder Richer and his staff by the Arizona House and Senate GOP for a joint hearing.

• Immediate release of withheld funds for voter roll maintenance, cybersecurity, and equipment upgrades.

• Investigations by the DOJ to ensure justice for affected voters.

While the BOS maintains its interpretation of statutes—as outlined in Brophy McGee's January 23, 2026, op-ed—the testimony suggests deliberate inaction that may have broken the law. Voters deserve transparency and remedies to restore trust in the process.

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