arizona news
Has been updated: March 20, 2023 10:39 AM
Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, presides over a hearing investigating Park Police’s response to the Lafayette Square protests in Washington, DC, June 29, 2020 (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva wants the Justice Department to investigate counties in southern Arizona where Republican registrars are responsible for elections.
In a move that Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays is trying to block, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors recently appointed Recorder David Stevens as election administrator through 2024.
Two Republicans on the three boards – Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd – voted yes, but Democrat Anne English voted against.
Democratic Party Grijalva sent a letter Last week, he asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to ask the Justice Department to investigate the move and support Mays’ efforts.
“David Stevens has a history of supporting anti-electionism and has close ties to the anti-election candidate in Arizona,” wrote Grijalva. “Mr. Stevens promoted and supported an illegal proposal to hand-count all midterm ballots in Cochise County, a proposal later blocked by a court.
“Additionally, Stevens has been closely associated with the failed Republican candidate, refusing to run for Arizona Secretary of State Mark Finkem.”
Stevens and Republican overseers had planned to count the votes completely starting with the November election, but were blocked in court. The county also refused to certify the 2022 election results until a judge ruled they were against the law.
“In my opinion, given past actions by Mr. Stevens and members of the Republican majority on the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, this broad consolidation of power by Mr. Stevens is dangerous, and the confidence in the Cochise County elections is in danger. ,” said Grijalva. she wrote
“For these reasons, the Department of Justice will investigate and monitor the election process in Cochise County under Mr. Stevens’ control, provide resources to Arizona Attorney General Mays, and ensure that her office will ensure voting rights and the integrity of the election. We encourage you to provide the necessary assistance to protect Arizona.”
Mays filed a lawsuit on March 7, claiming that it was illegal for the county to have Stevens as an election administrator.
“This agreement is essentially an unconditional handover from the board to the registrar and does not allow the two organizations to work together to carry out their statutory duties openly and transparently,” Mays said. said Mr. press release.
“Counties can properly enter into cooperative agreements with record keepers to administer elections, but Cochise County’s agreement goes far beyond legal boundaries.”
Grijalva, Arizona’s longest-serving congressman, said he agreed with Mays’ assessment.
The county registrar is an elected role with duties such as maintaining voter registration records, voter registration outreach, mailing early ballots, and verifying signatures on ballots. Election administrators are responsible for counting ballots.
Grijalva explained that managing elections involves setting up polling stations, hiring poll workers and counting ballots.
Stevens replaces Lisa Mara, who served as the county’s election administrator for five years and opposed a Republican move to count her hands in last year’s midterm ballots.
