Maricopa County, Arizona Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican election official known for his defense of the county's voting processes, is projected to lose his primary to conservative challenger State Rep. Justin Heap. Heap, who has garnered support from notable election deniers in the state party, including Senate nominee Kari Lake, has been critical of the county's election procedures.
During his campaign announcement and a recent debate, Heap refrained from stating whether he believed the 2020 or 2022 elections were stolen, instead voicing distrust in the county's current system. The upcoming November election will see Heap facing off against Democrat Tim Stringham, who ran unopposed for his party's nomination.
The Maricopa County recorder plays a crucial role in overseeing mail voting and voter registration, while the county's board of supervisors manages Election Day voting and vote tabulation. Maricopa County, situated in Phoenix, stands as the largest county in Arizona and the fourth largest in the United States.
