Cochise County Recorder Resigns, Leaving Elections in Flux

The recent resignation of the county recorder in Cochise County has put significant pressure on the county’s unstable elections, especially with new supervisors stepping in.

David Stevens announced his departure just two months post-election and only ten days after beginning a new four-year term. He shared in an interview that he had initially aimed to fulfill the entire term but ultimately decided to prioritize his health and personal matters.

“At 63, I’ve started to really focus on the little things, and I guess I just need to take care of myself,” he noted.

With the recent election turmoil in mind, supervisors from southern Arizona are already considering potential changes to the election process. Following the November election, the county has formed an All-B.C. commission, now including supervisor Tom Crosby along with two new members.

The imminent appointment of a new recorder will influence various aspects of the upcoming 2026 election, like managing voter roles and determining polling locations and drop-off sites.

These issues have sparked debate in the past, and it seems likely they will continue to do so. Right before Stevens resigned, two of the new commission members—former legislator Frank Antenori and long-time resident Kathleen Gomez—expressed the need for reevaluation in the election system.

“To enhance voter trust, sidestep voting issues, and restore integrity to the process,” Antenori emphasized.

In contrast, Elizabeth Tyndal, former chair of the Cochise County Democrats, voiced her concern regarding the power of the supervisors this year, particularly in selecting Stevens’ replacement.

“We’ve seen that the previous board didn’t always make the best decisions,” she pointed out.

Stevens, who had been skeptical about elections, played a crucial role behind the scenes during the tumultuous 2022 midterms. He collaborated with his friend Mark Finchem to implement a project involving a security measure on votes, which ultimately fell through, resulting in a pile of unusable ballots.

There was widespread attention on the call for a complete hand count of the ballots, but Crosbie and previous manager Peggy Judd faced legal issues for allegedly delaying election verification. They were charged with felonies related to conspiracy and interference. Judd opted for a plea deal and completed her probation, while Crosby pled not guilty and awaits trial.

The drama surrounding the midterms led the county’s long-serving election director to resign, diminishing voter confidence. When prepping for the presidential election, finding a qualified replacement became a significant challenge, as the county went through three directors, including Stevens during a brief term. Eventually, current employees stepped in to manage the November election.

However, mistakes occurred in vote preparation and counting, compounded by equipment failures, leading to a lengthy counting process. Despite the results eventually being deemed accurate, it highlighted the urgent need for reforms.

Antenori recently met with election staff, who indicated that they had received at least one new voting tabulator. He expressed concerns about ensuring the next election runs smoothly.

While both he and Gomez suggest they have bigger initiatives to restore voter confidence, they are also contemplating hand counting as an option to verify electronic results.

With Stevens now gone, the county must find a suitable replacement before his departure on February 28. Antenori mentioned that Stevens’ decision was due to personal health and family matters, though Stevens did not respond to requests for comment.

Tyndall also advocated for community input in appointment decisions, emphasizing the need for someone with election experience to mitigate future errors.

“It’s quite frustrating that there aren’t experienced individuals at the top,” she remarked.

Antenori, however, reassured that the staff within the recorder’s office has ample experience and stressed the importance of finding individuals invested in both the political and administrative aspects of the role.

Above all, he is keen on filling positions with those who are passionate about the upcoming 2026 election.

Update: January 22nd, 5pm: This article has been updated to incorporate comments from David Stevens.