Midterm Elections: Republican-held Arizona County Finally Certifies Election Results After Judge's Order

After officials from the Republican-held Cochise County refused to certify the results of the elections on baseless cheating claims, a judge has ordered them to certify the results that had Democrat Katie Hobbs defeating MAGA darling Kari Lake.

The county finally complied after a judge ruled that the county's supervisors broke the law by refusing to sign off on the final vote count and missing the deadline.

This came after current Governor-elect Katie Hobbs, who is also Arizona's secretary of state, filed a lawsuit against Cochise County officials for not doing their constitutionally-mandated duty to certify the results of the recently-concluded midterm elections.

According to the Associated Press, a local group of retirees from Cochise County also filed a similar lawsuit against its officials. The judge sided with them and Governor-elect Hobbs and forced Cochise County supervisors to finally certify the results.

Cochise County Election Supervisors 'Not Satisfied' With Voting Machines and Refused To Certify Midterm Elections

The refusal of the county's election supervisors did not surprise many, as Cochise County is a majority-conservative area and voted overwhelmingly for Kari Lake. County officials did admit that they did not see any problems with the election results but stated that were "not satisfied" with the voting machines used for the midterm elections.

Specifically, the certification was held up by two GOP supervisors, but the ruling made by Pima County Superior Court Judge Casey McGinley forced them to oblige. The county's election board was then ordered to convene later on Thursday and that any board member that does not comply will be held in contempt of court, according to The Hill.

Supervisor Peggy Judd, one of the two Republicans who blocked the certification complied, but the other Republican, Tom Crosby, skipped the meeting. The board's only Democrat, Ann English, stated that the whole thing has become a "circus that doesn't need to have to happen." English added that she has had enough of her Republican colleagues' antics as she asked for a swift resolution into the matter.

Judge Says Law Is Clear That Arizona Midterm Results Must Be Certified

Judge McGinley lambasted the Republicans and stated that the law is clear regarding what the Cochise County Election Board was required to do. She stated in her decision that they were "duty bound" to certify the results and submit them to the secretary of state by Monday.

The judge stated in the opinion that the county election board had "exceeded its lawful authority in delaying the canvass for a reason that was not permitted by the statute."

According to NPR, the county's two Republican supervisors who refused to certify the results wanted to delay the certification out of concerns regarding the voting machines, even though state officials have already confirmed they have already been tested and properly certified.

This reason was challenged by attorneys for Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and a Cochise County voter, a nonprofit, stating that their arguments were made in bad faith. The lawyer also referenced Judd's comments, stating that the Republican officials' allegations of problems with voting machine were the only thing they can stand on in delaying the certification. Judd also admitted that their actions were in protest of Maricopa County's election certifications.

READ MORE: Arizona Midterm Elections: Maricopa County Election Official Moved to Undisclosed Location Due to Death Threats as Kari Lake Refuses to Concede

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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