June 19, 2026

Supervisors Abandon Court-Ordered Mediation in
Favor of Public Political Theater

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has withdrawn from a court-supported mediation process that it agreed to just days earlier, choosing instead to continue demanding discussions only in a public forum under its own control.

During proceedings before Judge Scott Blaney on June 15, the Court asked whether the parties were willing to participate in mediation in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute over election administration responsibilities. Both sides agreed. The Court appointed Judge Christopher A. Coury to serve as mediator, a proposal accepted by the Board's counsel, Kory Langhofer. Judge Coury promptly cleared his schedule and arranged to conduct mediation on Monday, June 22.

Following yesterday's decision by the Court of Appeals granting the Board's request for a temporary stay pending appeal, Judge Coury contacted the parties to confirm that mediation would still proceed. The Recorder's Office immediately reaffirmed its willingness to participate. The Board, however, withdrew from mediation and instead insisted that any discussions occur only in a public meeting format controlled by the Board itself.

This is not the first time the Recorder has sought a negotiated resolution. Nearly a year ago, before litigation was filed, Recorder Heap proposed mediation in an effort to avoid costly and protracted court proceedings. The Board rejected that proposal as well.

The Supervisors have hollowly claimed they want to end this conflict and reach agreement. Their decision to abandon mediation before an experienced, neutral mediator – after agreeing to it in open court – tells a different story. Serious legal disputes are resolved through good-faith negotiations and impartial mediation, not political performances staged for cameras.

"The facts speak for themselves," said Recorder Justin Heap. "The Board agreed to mediation before the Court, agreed to the mediator, and then walked away when it came time to sit down and negotiate. This is not the way serious people resolve legal conflicts. We remain ready to engage in good-faith discussions at any time, but the Board continues to choose public posturing and prolonged litigation over meaningful solutions. Every unnecessary delay only prolongs uncertainty and ultimately harms the voters we all serve."

 

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
[email protected]