Phoenix (Az Family) – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved the funds on Wednesday for an external review of election management and technology.
“Maricopa County believes the government should be accountable and transparent,” said Thomas Galvin, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
The county’s internal audit department oversees external reviews managed by external companies. County officials said bids are open to companies that can do the work.
According to county officials, the review includes a similar technology audit to the 2021 review, which will ensure that the election equipment has not been tampered with or cannot be connected to the internet.
A more comprehensive review examines key election processes, particularly those used for misinformation, such as physical security, custody, and vote counting.
Approval will come a few days after Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap looked like he was in conflict On the board when he is seeking more control over his election duties.
According to Heap, after losing his reelection, outgoing recorder Stephen Reacher has secured a new shared service agreement with the board, which was effective weeks before the Heap and the new supervisor took office.
“This back room, the 11-hour power grab, represents a reckless overreach by unpopular, crippling duck officials trying to raise elected officials.
Heap said the deal moved many elected members to the board, including handling email-in and early voting. He also says the deal has reassigned several recorder staff to the board.
Ultimately, Heap says he has requested that he close the agreement and that the board resolve the terms of the new deal, but he says it hasn’t completed yet.
“For the past eight weeks, Recorder Heap has been tirelessly working with all reasonable measures to be involved with the Supervisory Board in negotiating a new shared service agreement. Through formal letters, emails, phone calls and in-person meeting requests, he has sought a joint solution to ensure efficient elections. Despite these sincere efforts, the board has not scheduled a meeting to address these important issues. Heap’s call for dialogue leaves us at risk and at risk to prepare for the Maricopa County election.”
The county expects a portion of its comprehensive review (a high-tech audit projected to cost $400,000) to be released in the fall in the summer, with a price expected to cost $80,000.
Once ready, the county says they will “publish these findings in a public environment without editors, revisions or changes.” The only part of the auditor’s job is them and them. ”
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