Cochise County officials are urging the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate claims that federal labs haven’t properly accredited the national voting system ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

In a recent move, supervisors from Southern Arizona sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, asking for a review of the county’s voting system certification and how federal and state regulations are interpreted regarding compliance and legal counting of votes.

This issue of improper accreditation has been around for quite some time. In fact, it contributed to a controversial decision in November 2022 when two Republican supervisors opted to delay certifying midterm election results, which subsequently led to legal challenges. A judge ordered the supervisors to go ahead with verifying the election.

Officials from the U.S. Election Assistance Committee reassured state leaders that the lab is properly accredited. However, the aftermath of those decisions saw two supervisors, Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, facing charges of conspiracy and interference with election officials. Judd has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, while Crosby maintains his not guilty plea and is awaiting trial.

Interestingly, the vote to send the letter came shortly after a judge dismissed Crosby’s request to postpone a hearing scheduled for September 22, emphasizing that the legal process must move forward.

Crosby, who was re-elected last year, took the initiative to suggest the letter. For months, he’d been vocal about lab certification during public meetings, attempting to garner support from two newly appointed Republican supervisors.

Most discussions during the supervisors’ meeting occurred in an executive session, so it’s unclear how the letter to the Justice Department might differ from Crosby’s earlier statements. He attached a 30-page dossier to the letter, containing minutes from meetings, testimony from his case, and information regarding the state election certification rules.

In addition, the dossier included court documents dating back to November 2022. Crosby’s attorney had attempted to transfer the case concerning the delayed certification to federal court, hinting that Crosby is eager to continue that path.

He didn’t respond to messages encouraging him to send the letter to the Department of Justice, which seeks clarity on interpretations of federal and state laws about the voting system. Ultimately—it’s up to the courts to define those interpretations, even though the Justice Department usually provides legal guidance at the request of the President or government.