(The Center Square) – Maricopa County is again conducting logic and accuracy tests on election equipment following an alleged theft by a temporary election worker last week.
The county recorder’s office told The Center Square the employee was fired on Friday, and the county sheriff’s office is currently investigating.
Walter Lingfield is reportedly suspected of stealing the keychain and remains in police custody.
He said he took a key chain that was meant to be used for election-related purposes, raising concerns among county officials, The Washington Post reported.
“On Friday morning, Maricopa County Board of Elections staff conducting their daily inventory confirmed items had been stolen from the ballot counting center on Thursday night, and staff took immediate steps to investigate the incident and contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office,” a county spokesperson said in an email to reporters Monday morning.
“While the stolen items have been recovered, elections staff are reprogramming all equipment and re-running logic and accuracy tests to ensure the integrity of Maricopa County elections,” the email added.
The Arizona Secretary of State’s office said the steps taken after the theft should “reassure the public” about the “security measures that are in place.”
“Our systems are not only capable of detecting anomalies, but are supported by experts dedicated to upholding our democratic process. While this incident is unwelcome, it speaks to the effectiveness of the security protocols built into Arizona’s election systems,” the statement said.
“Quick action by Maricopa County Board of Elections staff, including re-conducting logic and accuracy tests, has resulted in increased protections on all affected devices. This swift response will prevent any potential impact to future elections. The Secretary of State’s Office will work with law enforcement to address and investigate this incident to ensure accountability and swift justice,” the office added.
The primary election is July 30th. The county is the second largest Domestic voting jurisdiction.
The county told The Center Square it had briefed party leadership about the devices being retested.
“As is customary, party leadership was notified on Friday about the L&A testing scheduled to take place over the weekend. This morning, both chairs were informed about the theft and why the logic and accuracy tests were being resumed,” they said in an email.
