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.
This shift in approach contrasts with the tactics employed by Heap's predecessor, Stephen Richer, who had vigorously defended the integrity of elections in Maricopa County during his tenure. Richer's office had engaged in efforts to combat disinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding voting processes, often collaborating with other local agencies to address online threats and false claims.
Heap's stance on misinformation differs from Richer's proactive approach. Heap's chief of staff indicated that the office no longer views it as appropriate for government entities to police online misinformation. Instead, any future threats towards election officials will be handled by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Heap, who won the Republican primary last year and emerged victorious in the general election, has refrained from asserting that the 2020 and 2022 elections were fraudulent. He has emphasized the need to address systemic issues in the state's voting system to restore public trust.
Heap has outlined plans to bolster voter confidence by implementing measures such as removing inactive voters from the rolls and allowing election observers to closely monitor the signature verification process for early ballots. This shift in focus aligns with the broader narrative advocated by the Trump administration, which has criticized government intervention in addressing misinformation.
Overall, Heap's decision to redirect the office's priorities underscores a new approach to handling misinformation in the electoral process, signaling a departure from the previous administration's strategies.
