PHOENIX - Election officials in Arizona's biggest county finalized an accord this week on collaborative vote supervision, concluding a lengthy court fight.

Republican Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap filed suit against the mostly GOP board of supervisors in June 2025, claiming it unlawfully assumed control over select election duties. The board labeled the action baseless and accused Heap of squandering public funds.

Following mediated talks, they approved a settlement this week to end the case, with the board endorsing the terms.

"This deal gets us out of the courtroom," board Chair Kate Brophy McGee said after Tuesday's vote. "I'm sick of drama. We are done with being on the front page going forward."

Heap stated his goal was straightforward: to guarantee his office fulfills its legal duties properly.

"I am pleased we have reached an agreement that, when implemented, will restore those responsibilities and establish a clear framework for administering elections moving forward," Heap said in a statement jointly released with the board.

The settlement applies an interim plan from Heap, cleared by the Arizona Supreme Court, to guide the July 21 primary. Early voting started in late June.

Heap will manage much of early voting, ballot drop box site choices and related tasks. The board will cover Election Day operations, ballot counting and equipment upkeep at voting sites. It will also finance a new $15 million information technology system plus staff positions for the recorder.

Heap received support in the case from America First Legal, a conservative advocacy group started by Stephen Miller, a former White House deputy chief of staff. Heap alleged the board shifted funding, IT personnel and functions such as drop box oversight and early voting site setup from his office via a prior deal with his predecessor.

Heap beat incumbent recorder Stephen Richer in a GOP primary and secured the 2024 general election.

The pair differed on election management in Maricopa County. Heap avoided echoing debunked assertions that the 2020 and 2022 votes were stolen, yet noted public distrust in the system and its operational flaws. Richer, also Republican, consistently upheld the vote's validity.

Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, abstained from approving the settlement and voiced criticism of Heap at Tuesday's meeting.

"Honestly, I don't think he wants to have an election that is conducted transparent or even an election that's not compromised," Gallardo said. "Now, with this, he owns it."