Maricopa County Recorder Shifts Focus Away From Election Misinformation

U.S. flags around the Washington Monument are at full staff during the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Flags are supposed to fly at half-staff through the end of

In a significant move, Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has made changes to the office's approach to handling misinformation surrounding elections. Heap, a Republican who assumed office in January, has reduced the external communications team from seven members to just one. This decision marks a departure from the previous administration's strategy of actively countering false information related to elections.

Heap explained that the previous recorder had placed excessive emphasis on external political communications, prompting him to reallocate resources towards enhancing database management and electronic systems. The office will retain one external communications staff member and a six-person team dedicated to disseminating official information on elections and recording matters.