By Matthew Holloway |
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has disputed ACLU of Arizona allegations that poll workers at a downtown Phoenix early voting center improperly required voters to show ID when dropping off mail ballots.
The ACLU of Arizona sent a letter to Heap and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee. Policy Director Darrell Hill described an experience involving two voters at the early voting center in the A.E. Building. The letter claims that a poll worker instructed the voters that they must present identification to drop off their mail ballots and did not inform them that identification was optional.
The ACLU said it had heard similar accounts from other voters and urged officials to review training to ensure poll workers provide clear information about their options.
KJZZ reporter Wayne Schutsky stated that he spoke with an ACLU staff member who was part of the group whose ballot drop-off experience prompted the letter.
According to the Recorder’s Office, voters dropping off early ballots may voluntarily present identification to bypass signature verification or deposit their ballots in a drop box without identification. The office said Arizona poll workers, including those in Maricopa County, are trained to explain both options.
In a response to the ACLU, the Recorder’s Office described the allegations as anonymous and unsubstantiated. The office said the ACLU provided no evidence or indication that it had investigated before accusing election workers of misconduct.
Upon receiving the letter, the Recorder’s Office contacted the site inspector. The inspector, who said he had worked elections in Los Angeles and Maricopa counties since 2006 and served with a bipartisan team, reviewed the matter with his marshal and lobby staff.
“No voters were required to present ID to deposit ballots in the drop box, and staff reported no negative interactions or complaints,” the inspector said. “We experienced no issues during the afternoon’s increased voter traffic and find these accusations baffling to say the least.”
Heap called for the ACLU to apologize to election workers.
“The ACLU has launched a baseless attack on hardworking election workers, treating unverified claims from political activists as established facts without a shred of supporting evidence,” Heap said. “These are dedicated public servants, not political punching bags.”
“The ACLU is quick to condemn anyone it believes is undermining confidence in elections, yet here it is doing exactly that—recklessly attacking election workers without evidence,” he continued. “The ACLU should be ashamed of this irresponsible political hit piece and owes our dedicated poll workers a public apology.”
In comments to KTAR News, Heap said staff at the location remembered the group and reported that both options were explained. He also said signs at polling places describe the choice and that roughly 70 percent of voters bringing in mail ballots choose to show identification.
A FOX 10 Phoenix team member reported being asked for identification when dropping off a mail ballot at a vote center. During a subsequent FOX 10 interview, Heap was told of the experience.
Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin commented on the interview on X, arguing that poll workers should not proactively approach voters because signage provides the information and voters can ask questions.
In its response to Heap, the ACLU said it contacted officials privately on October 27 to request an investigation into potential training issues without public attention. Hill said the organization wanted to ensure every eligible Arizonan could exercise the right to vote and that Heap’s public criticism did not address the substance of its concerns.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
