The indictments of the two Republicans from a deeply conservative county in the southeastern corner of Arizona mark a rare example of possible criminal consequences in battleground Arizona, where county officials, state lawmakers and GOP candidates have helped delegitimize election outcomes and procedures.
Mayes’s office has been investigating the actions of the two county supervisors since at least summer.
“The repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable,” Mayes said in a statement announcing the indictments. “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.”
The indictment was filed on Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court. According to the indictment, on or between Oct. 11, 2022, and Dec. 1, 2022, Judd and Crosby conspired to delay the canvass of their county’s votes from the November general election.
The indictment alleges that the two knowingly interfered with the secretary of state’s ability to finish the statewide canvass for the election by delaying a vote to formally accept their county’s votes during the time period required by state law.
The three-member Cochise County board eventually did vote to certify the results of the election, but only after a judge ordered they do so.
“You will meet today,” Superior Court Judge Casey F. McGinley told the three members of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors last year. “You will canvass the election no later than 5 o’clock.”
When the board convened at 3:30 p.m., with Crosby absent, Judd and the remaining supervisor, Ann English, a Democrat, voted to certify the results.
The surrender, under court order, ended a standoff in Cochise County that threatened to upend the state’s process for affirming the will of more than 2.5 million Arizona voters. The ensuing chaos could have undermined the projected victories of Republicans in a U.S. House seat and the statewide race for schools superintendent.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
