Maricopa County Vendor Mistakenly Mails 3,126 Early Ballots Ahead of Schedule

October 6, 2026 — Election Integrity / Current Issues.

Runbeck Election Services mistakenly mailed 3,126 early-ballot packets six days before Maricopa County’s scheduled October 7 mailing. The county recorder’s office said the packets went to the correct voters, remain valid, and may be completed and returned normally. Ballots returned before early voting begins will remain sealed until processing starts.

The recorder’s office said it did not authorize the early mailing and learned of it after it occurred. Runbeck accepted responsibility and said the error affected timing only. A county review is underway.

President Donald Trump criticized the county after the error became public, calling it “dishonest.” That is his characterization; officials have attributed the premature mailing to a vendor error, and the available statements do not establish intentional misconduct.

Status: Administrative review; no court finding is reported.

Sources: Associated Press report · Maricopa County Recorder’s Office statement