Two Republican county supervisors from Arizona are facing criminal charges for allegedly delaying the certification of the 2022 midterm election results.
An Arizona grand jury, supported by the state's Attorney General, has charged Peggy Suzanne Judd, 61, and Terry Thomas "Tom" Crosby, 64, with felony Interference with an Election Officer and Conspiracy.
Judd and Crosby are supervisors hailing from Cochise County, Arizona. The charges, filed officially in February of this year, originate from their alleged actions spanning from October 11 to December 1, 2022, during which they are accused of conspiring to delay the canvass of votes from the November 2022 midterm election.
The controversy began when Judd and Crosby, according to the charges, conspired to delay the canvassing of votes for the November 2022 election. This period of alleged conspiracy extended from October 11 to December 1, a critical time frame for election certification.
Their actions interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State's ability to complete the statewide canvass by the legal deadline. This delay not only contravened state law but also stirred a nationwide debate on the electoral process and its vulnerabilities.
Dennis Wilenchik, the attorney representing the accused, has dismissed the charges as "political partisanship." He argues that there was no real agreement or interference, framing the charges as an outcome of political rivalry rather than a breach of law.
Central to this case is the refusal of the supervisors to certify Cochise County's election results. They raised questions about the certification of ballot tabulation machines, a move that has been increasingly common in recent years amid heightened scrutiny of election integrity.
This refusal led to a series of lawsuits and a judicial order to certify the results. In compliance with this order, Judd eventually voted in favor of certification, while Crosby did not attend the meeting, further complicating the legal landscape.
Their reluctance to certify results has not been an isolated incident. Similar delays were observed in six other Arizona counties, reflecting a broader trend of election result challenges, especially among some Republican factions.
Attorney General Kris Mayes commented on the situation, underscoring his commitment to upholding the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of enforcing election laws and supporting election officials in their duties.
"The repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable. 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."
On the other side, Wilenchik continued to defend his clients. He insisted that the conspiracy is based on an alleged 'agreement' to interfere, which, according to him, is nonexistent.
Reflecting on her actions, Judd expressed her view that she did not break any law despite the court's differing opinion. This statement reflects a personal belief in her actions, even as legal challenges mount.
As the case progresses, the timeline of events becomes critical. The alleged conspiracy started around October 11, with the refusal to certify results occurring after the November elections. The judicial order for certification came in early December, followed by compliance and eventual criminal charges.
By January 2023, both Judd and Crosby were subpoenaed, with official charges filed in February. This sequence of events has made this case a focal point in discussions about election integrity and political accountability.
The charges against Judd and Crosby have sparked a nationwide debate. They highlight the tensions between electoral process compliance and political perspectives, especially in a deeply polarized environment.
