Arizona county supervisor pleads guilty to failing to certify 2022 election results

Oct 22

Ray Bogan Political Correspondent

By Ray Bogan (Political Correspondent)

An Arizona county supervisor pled guilty to failing to canvass, or certify, the results of the 2022 midterm election. Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, R, entered a plea agreement with the Arizona Attorney General’s office in which she admitted to refusing to perform her duty as an election officer, a misdemeanor.

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In the plea agreement’s statement of facts, Judd said, “I voted to delay the canvass during a public Cochise County Board of Supervisors meeting. I knew that the canvass would be delayed if one other supervisor voted with me.”

Judd was charged alongside fellow Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby, R, who has not taken a plea deal.

According to the original indictment, Judd and Crosby prevented the Cochise County Board of Supervisors from canvassing the election within the time period required by law. This interfered with the at the time Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ ability to complete a statewide canvass.

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Judd and a third county supervisor finally signed off on the election results after a judge ruled they likely violated the law by not meeting the deadline. Crosby skipped that meeting.

“Any attempt to interfere with elections in Arizona will not be tolerated,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement. “My office will continue to pursue justice and ensure that anyone who undermines our electoral system is held accountable.”

Judd initially faced two felony charges: Interference with an election officer and conspiracy. Those crimes carry a prison sentence of up to 2.5 years each. As per the agreement, Judd will be sentenced to unsupervised probation and pay a maximum $500 fine.

Both Judd and Crosby remain on the county board. Judd is not running for reelection, Crosby is.

Tags: 2022 Elections, Arizona, Election, Election security

[Ray Bogan]

An Arizona County Supervisor pled guilty to failing to canvass, or certify, the results of the 2022 midterm election. Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd entered a plea agreement with the State Attorney General’s office in which she admitted to refusing to perform her duty as an election officer, a misdemeanor.

In the plea agreement’s statement of facts, Judd said, “I voted to delay the canvasss during a public Cochise County Board of Supervisors meeting. I knew that the canvass would be delayed if one other supervisor voted with me.”

Judd was charged alongside fellow Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby, who has not taken a plea deal. According to the original indictment, Judd and Crosby prevented the Cochise County Board of Supervisors from canvassing the election within the time period required by law which interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State’s ability to complete a statewide canvass of the election.

Between October and December 2022, Judd and Crosby expressed concerns about the county’s vote tabulation machines, despite the fact that state officials provided documents which showed the machines were certified. Judd and a third county supervisor finally signed off on the election results after a judge ruled they likely violated the law by not meeting the deadline. Crosby skipped that meeting.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement: “Any attempt to interfere with elections in Arizona will not be tolerated. My office will continue to pursue justice and ensure that anyone who undermines our electoral system is held accountable.”

Judd initially faced two felony charges: Interference with an Election Officer and Conspiracy. Those crimes carry a prison sentence of up to 2.5 years each. As per the agreement, Judd will be sentenced to unsupervised probation and pay a maximum $500 fine.

Both Judd and Crosby remain on the county board. Judd is not running for reelection, Crosby is.