PHOENIX – In a significant development for election integrity in Arizona, Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to her duties as an election officer. This plea comes amidst her previous indictment along with fellow Supervisor Tom Crosby for felony charges including conspiracy and interference in the electoral process.
The plea agreement was reached in Maricopa County Superior Court, allowing Judd to evade a potential felony conviction. Both Judd and Crosby faced legal action for delaying the canvass of the 2022 midterm election results, with Judd’s actions ultimately resulting in a court order to complete their mandated duties. Notably, the third board member, Ann Crosby, certified the election after voting in favor of it.
“This official guilty plea underscores the imperative of maintaining election integrity in Arizona,” stated Thomas Volgy, a former mayor of Tucson and a professor specializing in democratic processes. “This should serve as a crucial warning to county officials against manipulating voter intentions for political gain.”
As part of her sentencing, Judd will receive unsupervised probation for a minimum of 90 days and a maximum fine of $500. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized the seriousness of election interference, asserting her commitment to holding accountable those who undermine the electoral system.
“Any attempt to interfere with elections in Arizona will not be tolerated,” Mayes stated following Judd’s plea. “This sentencing serves as a reminder that my office will utilize all available resources to uphold the law and protect Arizona’s election integrity.”
Judd and Crosby attempted to initiate a manual recount of all county ballots, fueled by unfounded conspiracy theories regarding vote integrity. This controversy unfolded against the backdrop of the Republican losses in key races during the November 2022 elections.
Crosby is scheduled to face trial on related charges in January while campaigning for reelection in November. Judd opted not to pursue reelection. Arizona, once a stronghold for Republicans, has seen a shift toward Democratic influence, particularly in urban centers like Phoenix, which is experiencing rapid population growth.
