Overview

Informing Democracy reviewed Arizona County Supervisors, County Sheriffs, County Recorders, and County Attorneys to identify officials who could pose a threat to free and fair elections.

Of the 106 Arizona officials we researched, 24 gave us cause for concern—or 23% of officials. Officials with concerning findings represented nine of Arizona’s 15 counties.

Our primary focus was the County Boards of Supervisors, who play a large role in election administration. Of the 61 Supervisors whose news appearances, social media, and votes we reviewed, 14 had findings in their background that raised cause for concern—again, 23% of the total. We also identified concerning findings on one of the 15 County Recorders, three of the 15 County Attorneys, and six of 15 County Sheriffs.

Concerning findings do not mean an official will seek to undermine the next election, just as a lack of findings is not a guarantee an official will faithfully execute their duties. This research provides guidance on where attention should be focused to ensure that elections are administered properly according to the law. Notably, research showed that the vast majority of local election officials are dedicated public servants, committed to running free and fair elections.

Counties of Concern

A county in this category poses major concerns with regard to free and fair election administration this November due to the willingness of officials to subvert election administration.

• Cochise County: Cochise County Supervisors Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby pushed for a hand count for the 2022 election that County Recorder David Stevens volunteered to oversee. After a judge prohibited them from conducting a hand count, Supervisors Judd and Crosby refused to do their duty and certify Cochise County’s elections by the legal deadline, sabotaging the electoral process. After a court order, Judd and Supervisor Ann English voted to certify the election, a vote Crosby did not attend. In November 2023, Judd and Crosby were charged with felony interference with an election officer and conspiracy for their actions; the trial is scheduled for August 2024.
• Mohave County: The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted to delay certifying both the 2020 and 2022 elections. Supervisor Ron Gould said he moved to delay certifying the 2020 election “with the contentious election and with Arizona still being in play.” Ultimately, the Mohave County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the 2020 election. Again in 2022, Mohave County Supervisors voted to delay certifying the election, this time in a 3-2 vote. Gould said the vote to delay was in protest of Maricopa County’s elections and described it as “purely a political statement.” After delaying certification, then holding a special meeting focused on certifying and again delaying the vote until the afternoon, Supervisors unanimously voted to certify. Both Gould and Supervisor Hildy Angius said they were doing so, in Angius’s words, “under duress” under a policy Gould called “‘vote yes to canvass or go to jail.”
• Pinal County: Pinal County had significant administrative issues during its 2022 primary and general elections. The county undercounted 500 votes during the general election that were left out of the certified results. Election staff became aware of discrepancies on November 28th but, after consultation with County Attorney Kent Volkmer, did not report the issues to the Secretary of State’s office until December 7th, after statewide results had been certified and two recounts had begun. A subsequent investigation documented numerous issues with the county’s vote and post-vote process; had the county properly followed procedures, these errors would have been identified before the County Supervisors voted to certify the results. While the Elections Director is no longer in her role, given the significant issues we recommend Pinal County be closely monitored.
• Yavapai County: While not as high a threat as the counties listed above, a majority of Yavapai County Board of Supervisors exhibited skepticism around the fairness of Arizona’s elections, largely focused on a belief Maricopa County’s elections were somehow unfair. Two Supervisors have spoken to the local Oath Keeper group. During the 2022 elections, the County Sheriff briefed Oath Keepers on how they could legally monitor drop boxes. The County Attorney’s past actions raise questions about his commitment to following the rule of law. While Yavapai County certified past elections as required, we still believe this is a county to watch this November.

<aside> 🚨 By the numbers: Concerning findings on 24 of 106 officials reviewed — 23%

</aside>

Election Denial

Our review identified seven officials who publicly denied or questioned the results of the 2020 election. This election denial ranged from sharing conspiracy theories about fake ballots being counted to outright claims the election was stolen or rigged. These officials were primarily concentrated in Cochise, Mohave, and Pinal Counties.

• Officials Who Denied Election Results (click to view)

Election Subversion

We identified 11 officials who, through words or actions, supported subverting the free and fair administration of elections: eight County Supervisors, one County Recorder, and two County Sheriffs. Voting to delay or against certifying election results was one alarming tactic. Two Cochise County Supervisors have been indicted for their refusal to certify the County’s 2022 election results by the legal deadline. The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted to delay certifying both the 2020 and 2022 general election results. One Pima County Supervisor cast a lone vote opposing certifying the 2020 and 2022 general elections.

• Officials Who Voted Against Certification (click to view)

County Supervisors in Cochise, Mohave, and Pinal Counties entertained and gave election deniers a platform to discuss hand counting every ballot cast during the election, contrary to state law. This support for hand counting stems from election conspiracists’ claim they are “not confident” in voting machine counts, due to discredited stories of hacks or sharpies causing incorrect counts.