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 Today, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage of the first responders, service members, and everyday Americans who answered the call in the days that followed. Twenty-five years later, we will never forget those we lost, the families forever changed, and the strength and unity our nation showed in the face of tragedy. May we always remember their sacrifice and keep their memories alive.
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 I recently had the pleasure of touring the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC) alongside former Governor Jan Brewer, AZ Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick, multiple County Recorders and other community leaders. It was a great opportunity for them to get a behind-the-scenes look at the facility and the work that goes into administering elections in Maricopa County.
MCTEC also offers public tours. If you would like to see the facility and learn more about our election processes firsthand, click the link below to find available tour dates and times.
To learn more click here: MCTEC Tour
Grand Opening of Surprise Community & Resource Center
 I was honored to attend the grand opening of the new Surprise Community and Resource Center. This wonderful facility will serve Surprise and surrounding communities by providing library services, workforce and housing assistance, veteran and senior services, youth programs, and three Head Start classrooms. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors invested $18 million in federal ARPA funds toward the center, demonstrating the importance of County and city partnerships in providing valuable resources to our residents. To learn more about this new facility, click here.
District 4 Community Connections
I recently had the pleasure of serving as a guest speaker at a Sun City West community meeting, where I shared updates on the work we are doing at Maricopa County and throughout District 4. I also attended a community meeting in Glendale, where I enjoyed visiting with residents and hearing about issues important to their community. I always appreciate these opportunities to meet with residents, answer questions, and hear directly from the people I represent. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Team Lesko Attends 2026 NACo Awards
 Maricopa County received 78 National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties this year, marking the third consecutive year the County has earned more than 70 awards for programs that improve services and outcomes for residents.
Congratulations to all our County employees whose hard work and dedication made this national recognition possible. Maricopa County continues to lead the way in providing first-in-class services to our residents, and I am proud of the innovative work our employees do every day.
To see all award-winning Maricopa County programs, visit NACo’s website and search by county.
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Supervisor Lesko Formal Public Meeting Closing Remarks
 Maricopa County has a lot to be proud of! Click the video to hear my comments recognizing our County departments and employees for receiving 78 Nat'l Association of Counties awards, as well as Team Lesko’s continued efforts to be out in our communities, meeting with residents and hearing about the issues that matter to them.
Click on the play button above to hear more.
Supervisor Lesko Discusses Voting Centers
 Securing enough Vote Center locations across Maricopa County can be a challenging process. With a large and growing population, finding facilities that meet state and federal requirements requires significant planning and cooperation from community partners. To hear more about these challenges and the work that goes into securing Vote Centers, click the video button above.
One-Page Ballots for 2026 General Election
 I am happy to share the news that Maricopa County Elections has announced voters will have a one-page ballot to complete in the 2026 General Election. The 20-inch, one-page ballot is primarily possible because fewer statewide measures will be on the ballot than in 2024, when voters filled out a two-page ballot. The average Maricopa County voter will have more than 80 contests on their ballot.
Voters can visit CandidateList.Maricopa.Vote for more information about what will be on their ballot so they can be informed and prepared for the upcoming election.
For individuals who do not vote early, the County is planning to offer 254 Vote Centers where they can cast a ballot on Election Day. Vote Center locations will be posted at Locations.Maricopa.Vote on September 18.
You can read the full press release for more information here.
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Parks Updates
Cooler temperatures are on the horizon, and Maricopa County residents have another reason to start planning a fall camping getaway. Beginning September 18, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will bring back its popular Buy One, Get One (BOGO) camping promotion, offering County residents an opportunity to enjoy free camping nights at four participating regional parks. Under the promotion, Maricopa County residents who book eligible developed or semi-developed campsites at participating parks can receive free camping nights during the same stay. Guests staying 2-7 consecutive nights will receive one free night, while those staying 8-14 consecutive nights will receive two free nights.
To learn more about Maricopa County’s regional parks, camping opportunities, and the 2026 BOGO promotion, visit maricopa.gov/parks.
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Elections Updates
Maricopa County Elections is administering a General Election for Maricopa County on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Please visit Maricopa.Vote to verify your registration status and ensure your information is updated and correct.
Here are important upcoming dates to keep an eye on:
- Saturday, September 19: Military and overseas ballots mailed
- Monday, October 5: Voter registration deadline
- Wednesday, October 7: Ballots mailed and early voting begins
- Friday, October 23: Last day to request a replacement ballot by mail
- Tuesday, October 27: Last day to mail back ballot
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day
View elections resources here.
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Vector Prevention Updates
Help Prevent Mosquito Activity and Fight the Bite
With monsoon season still bringing rain to the Valley, mosquitoes are likely becoming unwelcome guests. The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) conducts a proactive program that deploys year-round surveillance of mosquitoes. MCESD’s Vector Control division sets out more than 850 mosquito traps weekly throughout the county to test mosquitoes for mosquito-borne diseases and better target insecticides.
After rainfall, drain any rainwater that can collect around your house, including water that may have collected on buckets, garbage can lids, bird baths, etc. Please also apply repellent like DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus to avoid bites.
Contact MCESD at (602) 506-6616 to report increased mosquito activity.
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If you have questions or want to learn more, please visit org.
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Monsoon Safety Updates
The monsoon season will continue through September 15, 2026. This seasonal shift in wind patterns brings a dramatic increase in atmospheric moisture, leading to frequent—and often severe—afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The Flood Control District of Maricopa County has a number of resources available at Maricopa.gov/Monsoon that can help you prepare for extreme weather. Remember to avoid flooded areas and find alternate driving routes as just six inches of water can knock you off your feet and two feet of water can float your car. You can view MCDOT’s road closure map here. Take a few minutes to subscribe to their weather outlook, check out their rainfall map, and review their emergency kit checklist.
View monsoon resources and information here.
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Public Health Updates
Public Health Offers Free Immunizations
With fall weather on the horizon, remember to make an appointment to ensure your family members are up to date on their immunizations. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) operates four immunization clinics serving both children (from birth through age 18) and adults (19+). Appointments can be scheduled here at the MCDPH Central Phoenix, West Valley, East Valley, or Northwest (Glendale) clinics. MCDPH also offers immunization events across the county. Vaccines are provided free of charge year-round, regardless of insurance status.
See upcoming events here.
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Heat Relief Updates
After an early start to the heat season and higher-than-normal overnight temperatures, Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is seeing an increase in heat-related deaths compared to last year. Everyone from visitors to long-time residents is encouraged to follow simple steps to prevent heat-related illness and death. As of August 29, there have been 136 heat-related deaths confirmed in 2026, with another 605 under investigation. For this same week in 2025, there were 67 total confirmed heat deaths and 416 were still under investigation. County health officials encourage people to remember a simple phrase: Know your risk. Protect yourself. Protect others.
Anyone who needs a safe space to cool off can find a Heat Relief Network site by visiting Maricopa.gov/Heator by calling 2-1-1.
See more tips here.
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