Authorities say a temporary election worker stole security fobs from a Maricopa County vote-counting headquarters last week, but investigators say there is no evidence the theft was politically motivated.
Authorities said Walter Lingfield, a 27-year-old Phoenix resident who is not currently registered as a member of a political party in Arizona, took the keychain from the facility on the evening of June 20. Authorities said in a statement that the keychain was retrieved and that they plan to reprogram and retest election equipment to “ensure the fairness” of the upcoming state primary election.
“During election season, the security fobs will be used in conjunction with special security tablets,” a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office detective said in court documents. “The facility manager stated that the estimated cost of reprogramming is over $19,000 and that the safe operation of the facility will be significantly hindered until the reprogramming is completed.”
Authorities said Tuesday that the keychain would not have allowed Lingfield to independently operate the county's vote-counting machines, which also require a passcode, authorities said.
Another key on the lanyard opens a blue box underneath the machine that holds the counted ballots, officials said. No ballots were counted last week. Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates said Tuesday that the incident would have “no impact” on the state's upcoming primary election.
“Hopefully this will instill more confidence in the community,” he said, noting that election officials discovered the theft within hours and the keychain was quickly found.
A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Lingfield was in custody on the morning of June 24. According to court documents, the suspect was charged with felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor theft, and a search warrant was executed at his home.
He is being held without bail, according to court documents. Sheriff Russ Skinner said Tuesday that investigators continue to actively investigate the theft and are reviewing digital and physical evidence. He said there is “no indication” that the key fob was stolen with the intent to influence the election.
“But we're not ruling it out,” Skinner said. “We're going to exhaust all avenues, but at this point there's nothing to suggest that.”
The incident occurred just a week before early ballots were scheduled to be distributed to voters for the state's primary election, which has come under intense scrutiny nationwide in recent years due to a polarized political climate and widespread voting conspiracies.
In Maricopa County, the state's most populous, election officials have faced intimidation and harassment, and widespread technical problems with ballot-printing machines on Election Day 2022 led to lines at some polling places and undermined voter confidence.
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said Monday that the county's “swift” response to the stolen security fobs should reassure voters that the county's security measures are working.
“Our systems are supported by experts dedicated not just to detecting anomalies, but to preserving our democratic process,” Fontes said. “While this incident is unwelcome, it speaks to the effectiveness of the security protocols built into Arizona's election system.”
Election officials announced on June 24 that Lingfield had been hired as a temporary vote-counting center operator on June 3. A background check was required but he had no criminal history, according to an elections department spokesman.
However, according to court documents, Lingfield was indicted last year on charges of embezzling more than $1,000 in cash from Fry's Food and Drugs. That case did not result in a conviction. Instead, Lingfield entered a diversion program and the charges were stayed.
Lingfield was fired June 21, county officials announced June 24.
Lingfield could not immediately be reached for comment by The Arizona Republic, and his father, Walter Lingfield Sr., declined to immediately comment when contacted by The Arizona Republic.
A review of voter records shows Lingfield was registered as an independent in 2015. Less than a year later, he briefly registered as a Democrat. In the most recent primary election, he requested a Democratic ballot.
An Instagram account believed to belong to Lingfield features photos with Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Amy Klobuchar, but he also appears to use a Truth Social account that contains links to conservative media outlets such as The Epoch Times and Gateway Pundit. Other social media accounts believed to belong to Lingfield had been made private or deleted as of Monday afternoon.
Things you need to know:Arizona's primary election is July 30. Click here for information on how to register and vote early.
The indictment lists a report of a stolen security fob.
According to court documents, security cameras captured Lingfield taking the key fob from the county counting room.
“The suspect, Walter Lingfield, was observed on security camera walking past a desk and multiple tabulating machines,” the document states. “On the desk was a red scrunchie wrist strap with a security fob and key attached. Walter stopped at the desk, grabbed the security fob and continued walking.”
Authorities said Lingfield then placed the fob in his shorts pocket.
He initially denied taking the key chain to county authorities. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office detectives later questioned Lingfield, who admitted to taking the key chain but said he returned it to county authorities about 20 minutes later.
“Walter stated that the reason he took the key chain was because he wanted to 'clean up,'” detectives wrote in court documents. “Walter stated that the job was temporary and he was looking to make it full-time and that he wanted to clean up.”
Detectives eventually executed a search warrant at Lingfield's home, where they said they found a key fob on top of a dresser in the residence's master bedroom.
Sasha Hupka covers county government and elections for The Arizona Republic. Contact her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter): Sasha HapkaFollow her on Instagram or Threads: Follow.
