The second-largest Republican-controlled Arizona county on Monday delayed certifying the results of this month’s elections in protest over voting problems in Maricopa County.
As Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county, finished counting the last remaining ballots, the state’s attorney general asked officials to explain the Election Day issues some voters experienced. A delay has occurred.
Arizona voters elected Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and gave Democratic Senator Mark Kelly a six-year term. But the Attorney General election was headed for a mandatory recount after the election was approved by all 15 counties and the Secretary of State. He edged Republican Abraham Hamade by just 510 votes on Monday, after the 2018 election.
A split vote by the Board of Supervisors of Mojave County in northwestern Arizona made a clear pledge to approve the election by the Nov. 28 deadline. The members called it a political statement to show how angry they are about the problems in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and home to about 60% of the state’s voters.
The all-Republican commissions in two other counties, Pinal and La Paz counties, did little to prove their election results on Monday.
Mojave became the second state county to delay certification, following Cochise in southeastern Arizona. The board made the decision on Friday without a promise to prove results by a deadline despite setting a meeting to review it. have asked the Secretary of State to certify that their vote counting machines are legally certified.
State election officials told them so, but two committee members instead supported claims put forward by three men who claimed their certifications had expired.
In Maricopa County, about 30% of vote centers had an issue on November 8th when counters were unable to read some ballots.
County officials have repeatedly stated that all ballots were tallied and no one lost the ability to vote. I was told to put it in a safe box so that it would be counted in the .
Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich is seeking an explanation of how the matter arose before Maricopa County certified on Nov. 28. The head of his Election Integrity Unit also wants to know how, and an explanation, some of the uncounted ballots got mixed up at the polling place. Regarding the problems experienced by voters who left to go to another Vote Center where tabulators were in operation.
“Arizonans deserve a full report and explanation of the myriad issues that have arisen related to the Maricopa County administration for the 2022 general election,” wrote Jennifer Wright, the unit’s chief executive.
The county had about 17,000 Election Day ballots involved, which had to be counted later, not at the polling place. Only 16%.
In Mojave County, county Republican commissioners and chairmen praised the chairman of the elections commission. rice field.
“Mojave County voters, their votes are diluted,” Kench said. “Their votes are worth less than they were before this vote due to mismanagement and dysfunction in the Maricopa County Elections Authority.”
The vote to delay the Mojave County ballot canvas was not unanimous, but all five directors are Republicans. Member Jean Bishop called the decision “a bit silly”.
“We are Mojave County, not Maricopa County,” she said. “Our vote is solid.”
County commissioners did the same after the 2020 election. Former President Trump expressed his concerns over the loss in Arizona, blaming Maricopa County for the loss. However, the board ultimately accepted the results.
“This is Redux for 2020,” said board member Hildy Angius. “If we don’t acknowledge it today, we’re just issuing a statement of solidarity.”
Former state legislator Ron Gould agreed that this was just a message.
“It’s a purely political statement,” Gould said. “But that’s the only way we can make that statement.”
Phoenix AP writer Anita Snow contributed to this report.
