Arizona AG charges Cochise County supervisors with interference and conspiracy to delay canvassing 2022 elections
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has recently unveiled indictments against two Cochise County supervisors, Terry Crosby of Sierra Vista and Peggy Judd of Willcox.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the charges revolve around their alleged conspiracy to impede the canvassing process for the November 2022 General Election.
Who are they?
Terry Crosby, 64, and Peggy Judd, 61, both Cochise County supervisors, are facing felony charges related to interference with an election officer and conspiracy.
What are the charges?
Mayes condemned these purported attempts to disrupt the democratic process, stressing the commitment to upholding the rule of law.
"The repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable," said Mayes.
She added, "I took an oath to uphold the rule of law, and my office will continue to enforce Arizona’s elections laws and support our election officials as they carry out the duties and responsibilities of their offices."
According to the indictment, Crosby and Judd allegedly "knowingly interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State’s ability to complete the statewide canvass for the 2022 General Election, by preventing the canvass of votes from Cochise County from occurring during the time period required by Arizona law."
What did they say?
Both Crosby and Judd have refrained from immediate responses to requests for comment via text and email.
Jane Montgomery, Cochise County's spokesperson, confirmed that both supervisors will manage their legal representation but declined to provide further comments.
The indictment represents a rare instance of criminally charging individuals linked to the prolonged vote canvassing in six Arizona counties.
Last December, despite a judge's intervention, Crosby and Judd, both Republicans, delayed certifying the election results.
Their refusal to sign off on the vote count triggered legal disputes, including a lawsuit filed by then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.
Subsequently, Crosby and Judd were summoned to court earlier this month.
Interestingly, Ann English, the solitary Democrat on the board who endorsed certification, was neither subpoenaed nor indicted.
Expressing their bewilderment, Judd and Crosby informed The Associated Press that they were unaware of the reasons behind the subpoenas.
Judd reflected, "I don’t feel like I broke a law. But, obviously, the courts had different feelings."
Last year's certification of election results proceeded smoothly in most of the country. However, in Arizona, the six counties faced reluctance to meet the certification deadline amid pressure from certain Republicans.
Eventually, Democrats secured victories in U.S. Senate, governorship, and other statewide races in what has now become a pivotal swing state.