Two Republican officials in rural Arizona have been criminally charged for delaying the certification of the 2022 election results, the state’s top prosecutor announced on Wednesday. The indictment, filed on Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court, accuses Peggy Suzanne Judd and Terry Thomas “Tom” Crosby, both supervisors in Cochise County, of Interference with an Election Officer and Conspiracy.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, condemned the actions of Judd and Crosby, stating that “the repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable.” Mayes emphasized her commitment to upholding the rule of law and pledged the continued enforcement of Arizona’s election laws.
According to the indictment, Judd and Crosby conspired to delay the canvass of votes cast in Cochise County during the period of October 11 to December 1, 2022. Prosecutors allege that the supervisors knowingly interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State’s ability to complete the statewide canvass for the 2022 election, thus violating Arizona law.
Dennis Wilenchik, an attorney for Crosby, dismissed the indictment as “nothing but political partisanship” and promised a vigorous defense against what he considered baseless charges. Cochise County spokesperson Jane Montgomery declined to comment on the indictment but confirmed that both supervisors would be responsible for their own legal representation.
This case stands as a rare instance of criminally prosecuting individuals involved in the prolonged vote canvassing process that occurred in six Arizona counties last year. In December 2022, a judge ruled that Crosby and Judd were breaking the law by refusing to sign off on the vote count by the deadline. Only after the judge’s order did Judd and Ann English, the lone Democrat on the three-member board, vote to certify the election results.
Throughout most of the country, election results were certified without issue. However, in Arizona, pressure from some Republicans caused hesitation among the six counties to meet the certification deadline. Ultimately, Democrats emerged victorious in U.S. Senate, governor, and other statewide races, solidifying Arizona’s status as a swing state.
Arizona has been a hotbed of election controversies since President Biden’s victory in 2020, marking the second time in seven decades that a Democrat won the state. This ongoing political landscape has contributed to increased scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding election processes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Digital covering politics, crime, police, and more. For story tips, she can be reached at [email protected], and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Stay updated on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to the newsletter.
