Tucson, Arizona (KGUN) — The Cochise County election has been a contentious issue for months. When Superintendent Cochise held accountable for all election matters to county registrars who questioned the legitimacy of the presidential election, state attorney general Chris Mays appealed to stop the move.
But on Tuesday, a judge overruled the attorney general’s efforts to put the deal on hold.
This is how the case became involved. To avoid confrontation, a judge in Santa Cruz County heard the case, but in Pima County because it was easier for lawyers from Phoenix. Part of this stems from the controversy surrounding the 2020 election.
Before last fall’s midterm elections, people flocked to the Cochise board of directors for ballots.
Many claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Part of that was due to the operation of voting machines.
Cochise County Recorder David Stevens pushed for a hand count plan for the November midterm elections. Supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd agreed.
The Secretary of State sued, and a judge ordered the supervisor to repeal the handcount plan.
County elections official Lisa Mara opposed the handcount. She retired in February. Supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd appointed registrar David Stevens as interim election overseer to conduct the election along with the registrar’s normal duties of registering voters and collecting early ballots.
Attorney General Chris Mays sued, arguing that supervisors do not have the authority to delegate all election functions to one person.
But in court, Cochise County attorneys said counties like Yuma are using similar arrangements and supervisors will continue to set election policy.
Judge Denies State’s Request to Remove Stevens as Election Commissioner
Attorney General Josh Bender claimed the Office of the Attorney General’s case. He said he hasn’t decided whether to appeal because Cochise County attorneys said the county would limit the recorder’s ability to change election policy.
“And I think what you’ve heard from both the judge and the defense attorney is that they’re interpreting it that way and trying to manage the agreement. I think there are a lot of things that are important to see if an appeal is necessary or if their actions are appropriate.
KGUN reporter Craig Smith asked:
Bender: “Exactly.”
Supervisor Peggy Judd affirms that if Cochise County is going to change how it handles elections, it won’t be at the word of one person.
“So there are still people in our county who have very strong voices calling for some changes. He can’t make those changes himself. What we can do is turn it over to us when the election officer is ready to propose a change, and at that point we either support him or not.”
The Recorder’s issue as interim election director may soon become controversial. Cochise County officials say Stevens is stepping down from the job because the hiring of new election officials is imminent. In Cochise County, elections over how to pay for the new prison he will be in less than a month, so whatever happens there will be real-time pressure.
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