In a significant development for election integrity in Arizona, Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of failing to perform her duty as an election officer. This plea came as part of an agreement reached in Maricopa County Superior Court, where the criminal case was filed.
Judd, a Republican, faced felony charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer along with her colleague, Tom Crosby, for delaying the canvass of the 2022 midterm results. The third member of the board, Democrat Ann Crosby, had voted to certify the election, leading to a legal order for Judd and Crosby to fulfill their duties.
As a result of her guilty plea, Judd will be sentenced to unsupervised probation for a minimum of 90 days and will pay a maximum fine of $500. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized that any attempt to interfere with elections in the state will not be tolerated, reaffirming the commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of Arizona's electoral system.
Judd and Crosby had raised concerns about the election process, calling for a hand count of all the county's ballots and questioning the accuracy of vote tabulation machines. Despite their efforts, Democrats emerged victorious in the races for governor and attorney general in November 2022.
While Judd has accepted the plea agreement, Crosby is scheduled to go to trial in January on the same charge. Crosby, who is running for reelection in November, has not yet commented on Judd's plea.
Arizona, once a stronghold for Republicans, has seen a shift in political dynamics with Democrats gaining influence, particularly in urban areas like Phoenix. The state's evolving landscape underscores the importance of upholding election integrity and ensuring that elected officials fulfill their responsibilities without partisan bias.
