Cochise County supervisors indicted on election interference, conspiracy

PHOENIX - Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday that two Cochise County supervisors have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to delay the canvass of the November 2022 General Election.

According to a news release, 64-year-old Terry Crosby of Sierra Vista and 61-year-old Peggy Judd of Willcox were indicted on felony charges of interference with an election officer and conspiracy.

"The repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable," said Mayes. "I took an oath to uphold the rule of law, and my office will continue to enforce Arizona’s elections laws and support our election officials as they carry out the duties and responsibilities of their offices."

Arizona county supervisors indicted by Grand Jury

The two people, 61-year-old Peggy Judd and 64-year-old Tom Crosby, are supervisors for Cochise County, which is located in Southeastern Arizona. Judd and Crosby are accused of conspiring to delay the county's vote canvass after the November 2022 election, as well as interfering with the state's election canvass process. Both face up to 2.5 years in prison, for each indicted count, if convicted.

According to the indictment, Crosby and Judd allegedly "knowingly interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State’s ability to complete the statewide canvass for the 2022 General Election, by preventing the canvass of votes from Cochise County from occurring during the time period required by Arizona law."

Judd and Crosby did not immediately respond to requests via text and email for comment.

Jane Montgomery, spokesperson for Cochise County, declined to comment. She confirmed both supervisors will be responsible for their own legal representation.

The indictment marks a rare instance of criminally prosecuting people connected to the vote canvassing being dragged out last year in six Arizona counties.

In December 2022, Cochise County certified election results only after a judge ruled Crosby and Judd, both Republicans, were breaking the law by refusing to sign off on the vote count by the deadline.

Crosby and Judd said they weren’t satisfied that the machines used to tabulate ballots were properly certified for use in elections. This prompted lawsuits including one from then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.

They both were subpoenaed to court earlier this month. Ann English, the lone Democrat on the three-member board and the only supervisor to vote for certification, was not subpoenaed or indicted.

At the time, Judd and Crosby told The Associated Press they had no idea why they were being subpoenaed. Crosby was shocked.

"I don’t feel like I broke a law. But, obviously, the courts had different feelings," Judd said.

Last year, election results were certified without issue throughout most of the country. But in Arizona, the six counties hesitated to meet the certification deadline amid pressure from some Republicans. Democrats ended up winning U.S. Senate, governor and other statewide races in what has now become a swing state.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.