Attorney General Chris Mays filed a lawsuit against Cochise County, members of its oversight board, and its county registrar over a plan approved last month to give the registrar full authority over all election matters. rice field.

Both Mays’ office and the Cochise County prosecutor had warned the board that the move was legally problematic and could lead to lawsuits.

In her lawsuit, Mays alleges that she unconstitutionally and illegally transferred the powers delegated to the board of oversight under Arizona law to recorder David Stevens. to prevent public funds from being used.

“[A] The county sheriff cannot give the county assessor his powers and duties relating to law enforcement and prison supervision, just as the assessor cannot give the sheriff the powers and duties relating to assessment. You can not. ” claimed in lawsuit“Without legislative approval, the Board of Oversight may not delegate powers and duties with respect to elections to any other person, including the sheriff, assessor, or registrar.”

County boards have the power to oversee many election-related matters. set up precinctsthe appointment of election judges, ballot preparation,issue voter directive Procurement of election tools.

On February 28, the Board was scheduled to meet to discuss a broad agreement to hand over its electoral powers to the Recorders. The day before, Bendor wrote to the Cochise County Attorney’s Office and the Commission, expressing AG’s concerns.

When the AG asked the county to defend its authority to make such changes, the county “did not provide legal authority in response.” Supervisor Peggy Judd, Republican, said Feb. 28 At a meeting, he said he planned to “negotiate” with AG, and admitted that county attorney Brian McIntyre agreed with AG’s analysis.

Stevens does not stand out, is “best friend” The failed Republican secretary of state candidate Mark Finkem, who has outspokenly endorsed baseless election fraud allegations.

The controversy over shifting all election responsibilities to Stevens is just the latest in a string of election-related turmoil in a small southern Arizona county. Lisa Mara resignsciting an intimidating work environment, refused to cooperate with her full testimony. would have been illegalAnd county superintendents, led by Judd and fellow Republican Tom Crosby, investigated the 2022 election after a judge ordered them to do so.

In a statement issued alongside the lawsuit, Mays called the agreement “illegal” and an “unconditional surrender.”

“Counties can properly enter into cooperative agreements with recorders to govern elections, but the Cochise County agreement goes far beyond legal boundaries,” Mayes said. “In addition to this broad delegation of authority, we are deeply concerned that this move will obscure, or potentially obscure, the actions and deliberations that the board normally conducts publicly under the Open Meetings Act. .”

Mays doesn’t take suing public officials “lightly,” but she believes she “takes action when officials unlawfully exercise power or act outside of their powers.” I added that it was work.

Mays used to arizona mirror she plan to pursue Those who seek to undermine Arizona’s elections and those who threaten election officials.

Cochise County said it does not comment on pending lawsuits, and the Cochise County Records Office did not respond to requests for comment. Supervisors Judd and Crosby did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Stevens told the Mirror he could not comment on the pending lawsuit, but said the oversight board would likely hold an emergency meeting on March 8 to discuss the lawsuit.