This pathetic show of corruption on the part of Republican operators was not a big surprise, as Cochise County’s Republican majority already signaled they were not serious about real election results more than a week ago, when they voted to delay certification the first time. This was on Nov. 18, when Republican board members argued the vote tabulators being used were not properly certified. The evidence? None. In fact, at the time, Arizona state election director Kori Lorick presented evidence to the contrary of election deniers’ assertions that votes don’t count unless they are 100% Republican.
Supervisor Peggy Judd said she was voting to delay because she doesn’t really trust “any computer.” In fact, “I don’t even trust my cell phone, and it’s a flip phone, and I don’t trust it. It doesn’t always give me results, it’s not always there for me. So, it’s a difficult thing.” I guess we should go and look under your bed for gold, Peggy?
Lorick told the board that if they were unable to do their job and certify the elections in the time allowed by law, “the secretary will use all available legal remedies to compel compliance with Arizona law and protect Cochise County voters’ right to have their votes counted.” Votebeat Arizona interviewed election law attorney Jim Barton about what the logistical ramifications are for Arizona, as the secretary of state is required by law to certify the statewide election by Dec. 5. “They will cost the county a lot of money and embarrassment and it will do nothing,” Barton said.
At the same time, disgraced twice-impeached guy Trump posted a message on his Truth Social account attacking “Massive numbers of ‘BROKEN’ voting machines in Republican Districts on Election Day. Mechanics sent in to ‘FIX’ them made them worse. Kari had to be taken to a Democrat area, which was working perfectly, to vote. Her opponent ran the Election. This is yet another criminal voting operation – SO OBVIOUS. Kari Lake should be installed Governor of Arizona. This is almost as bad as the 2020 Presidential Election, which the Unselect Committee refuses to touch because they know it was Fraudulent!”
Judd and Crosby received some press before when they tried (and failed) to force a full hand count of midterm ballots. The hope for MAGA Republicans at this point is that one more Arizona county will miss its deadline Monday. As of the writing of this story, members of the Republican-controlled Mohave County board are set to resume their political theater production of bullshit later today, where it is believed they will certify but add a “protest” of some kind.
As the final results of the 2022 midterm elections came into focus this past week, the lack of clarity in the GOP’s leadership also became apparent. Kerry and Markos break down what this means for Democratic voters going forward and how Donald Trump’s campaign for president is a lose lose proposition for Republicans.
