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Arizona Election Deniers Indicted and Charged with Delaying Midterm Results
Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes
Title: Covert Officials Indicted for Illegally Delaying Election Certification in Cochise County, Arizona
Date: [Insert Date]
Cochise County, Arizona – Two local officials from Cochise County, Arizona have been indicted for deliberately obstructing the certification of the county’s midterm election results in 2022. State Attorney General Kris Mayes revealed the charges, which have grabbed the attention of voters and raised concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.
The indicted officials, Peggy Judd, 61, and Tom Crosby, 64, both Cochise County Supervisors, made the controversial decision last year to vote against certifying the county’s election results within the statutory deadline. By doing so, they casted doubt on the authenticity of the election, which ultimately led to a court order forcing the certification.
The charges brought against Judd and Crosby allege a conspiracy to delay certification and interference with the secretary of state’s statewide canvass. These charges are classified as Class 5 felonies, carrying potential prison terms of 6 months to 2½ years.
Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democratic official, expressed disdain for the attempted undermining of democracy, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable and threaten the sanctity of the electoral process.
The consequences of their actions could have been detrimental. Failure to meet the statewide deadline for certification would have resulted in Cochise County’s 47,000 votes being excluded from the state’s final election results. This exclusion would have had a direct impact on Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani’s race for the U.S. House.
Prior to the election, Judd and Crosby expressed skepticism regarding the voting machines used in the county and attempted to initiate a hand count of all the ballots, despite it being prohibited by state law. Their persistence led to a legal battle, including a lawsuit against the county elections director who later resigned.
It is also worth noting that Judd has previously attracted attention for her participation in the “Stop the Steal” rally in 2021. However, she firmly denies any wrongdoing. Reports have also suggested that she has propagated conspiracy theories online, further raising questions about her motives and credibility.
Similar instances of Republicans facing criminal charges in relation to election fraud have emerged in Georgia and Michigan. In 2020, several individuals posed as “fake electors” to the Electoral College, further eroding public trust in the electoral process.
It is important to clarify that a state Superior Court grand jury, not a federal grand jury, has indicted Judd and Crosby. The legal proceedings will shed further light on the case.
This latest attempt to subvert election processes highlights the ongoing challenges faced by US democracy. The indictment of these Cochise County officials serves as a reminder that actions threatening the democratic process will face legal consequences, regardless of political affiliation.