LUCHA Plans ‘Hands Off Our Elections’ Demonstration At Maricopa County BOS Meeting

Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) is organizing a demonstration at the June 10 meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors as disputes over election administration authority continue between county officials and Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap.

The event, titled “Hands Off Our Elections,” is scheduled to coincide with the Board’s public meeting and is being promoted through LUCHA Action’s organizing channels. 

LUCHA is a progressive advocacy organization that has played an active role in Arizona elections and public policy debates. The group engages in voter outreach, community organizing, and issue advocacy and has frequently participated in campaigns involving election administration, immigration policy, labor issues, and voting access. It is organized as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization and has supported the campaigns of Sen. Reuben Gallego, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz.

As outlined in their mission statement:

“LUCHA is a member-powered people’s organization led by changemakers fighting for social, racial, and economic transformation. It is committed to human dignity, inclusion, equity, and collective growth. The group works to reclaim shared power alongside families and communities by organizing low- and moderate-income and minority families (particularly Latino and working-class communities) through leadership development, grassroots campaigns, advocacy, and civic engagement. Its goal is to create an Arizona where every person enjoys equal rights, opportunities, and protections, advancing social and economic justice for all.”

According to the event description, organizers are calling on supporters to attend the June 10 meeting in response to what they describe as efforts by President Donald Trump and Heap to influence Arizona’s election system.

The demonstration follows several weeks of public criticism by LUCHA directed at Heap and ongoing disagreements between the Recorder’s Office and the Board of Supervisors over election administration responsibilities ahead of Arizona’s July 21 primary election.

In recent social media posts promoting its election-related advocacy efforts, LUCHA has accused Heap and Trump of undermining confidence in Arizona’s election system. In one video, the organization stated, through several speakers, “We have trusted election workers to ensure every vote is counted. Yet what we are witnessing now, through County Recorder Justin Heap and Trump is a deliberate attempt to dismantle our secure elections.” while urging supporters to become involved in the dispute.

Another LUCHA video asserted that “Justin Heap and the Trump administration want to inject confusion and spread fear in the election system that we have trusted for so many years.”

LUCHA has also publicly opposed Heap’s position in the ongoing conflict over polling locations, ballot drop-off sites, and election administration authority. In another Instagram video posted by the organization, a speaker urged county officials to “protect what is already working” and argued that polling locations should reflect community needs as election preparations continue.

The June 10 demonstration comes amid an escalating dispute between the Recorder’s Office and the Board of Supervisors over control of election functions ahead of the primary election, as previously reported by California Globe.

Last month, the Board approved a resolution establishing 237 polling locations and 12 ballot drop-off sites for the July primary. Heap’s office objected to the action, arguing that certain election-related functions belong to the Recorder under Arizona law and recent court rulings. Board members responded that the resolution followed longstanding county practice and was necessary to keep election preparations on schedule, as reported by Fox10.

The conflict has become increasingly public in recent weeks, with both sides accusing the other of acting in bad faith as election deadlines approach, and the County Recorder threatening felony charges against the supervisors. LUCHA has sided with the Board throughout the dispute, publishing articles and advocacy materials criticizing Heap’s efforts to obtain greater control over election systems and administration.

Arizona’s 2026 primary election is scheduled for July 21. Early voting begins June 24, and the voter registration deadline is June 22.

The June 10 Board of Supervisors meeting is expected to draw public comment from both supporters and critics of the Recorder’s position as county officials continue preparations for the upcoming election.

A Reddit post promoting the event was also shared through the Arizona Advocacy Hub community, though the primary event information appears on LUCHA Action’s Mobilize page.