A judge in Maricopa County, Arizona, has ruled that top election official, Justin Heap, will have more authority in running elections after a protracted legal dispute with the local board of supervisors. The decision could have implications for the upcoming midterms. Heap had sued the board alleging it had illegally taken control of aspects of election administration, including funding, IT staff, management of ballot drop boxes and establishing early voting sites. The judge largely sided with Heap's office, stating that the board had exceeded its statutory authority by seizing the Recorder's personnel, systems and equipment and refusing to return them to the recorder. The board will consider an appeal.