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Turnover plagues election offices, one swing state county trying to recover
Election offices have been understaffed for years. But 2020 was a tipping point, with all the pandemic-related challenges before the presidential vote and the hostility afterward driven by false claims of a stolen election. A wave of retirements and resignations has followed, creating a vacuum of institutional knowledge across the country.
Sidney Powell’s guilty plea and the case for the rule of law
I earned my law degree driven by a passion for the subject, not with the intention of practicing in the courtroom. I regret not being present this week to witness the unfolding trial of Sidney Powell.
It’s time to give thanks, show appreciation to Richer
A welcoming Stephen Richer heads up the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office with knowledge and a dedication to continue meeting the needs of constituents, improving processes and procedures, and instilling confidence in Maricopa County elections.
Election workers have gotten death threats and warnings they will be lynched, the US government says
More than a dozen people nationally have been charged with threatening election workers by a Justice Department unit trying to stem the tide of violent and graphic threats against people who count and secure the vote.
Senate votes to keep secretary of state from overseeing elections they’re in
The Republican-controlled Arizona Senate voted Tuesday to require that the state’s top election official not participate in overseeing elections in which he or she is on the ballot - leaving the proposal one vote away in the House from heading to Democratic governor and former secretary of state Katie Hobbs' desk.
Cochise County supervisors approve reorganization of election duties
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to reorganize election duties under Recorder David Stevens in a 2-1 partisan vote.
Border, Bidens, Covid: House GOP casts wide net in probes
The security at the U.S. border with Mexico. The origins of Covid. The treatment of parents who protest "woke" school board policies. These are among the far-reaching and politically charged investigations House Republicans are launching, along with probes of President Joe Biden and his family, an ambitious oversight agenda that taps into the concerns of hard-right conservatives but risks alienati[...]
Republican losses fan election conspiracies in rural Arizona
Last year was a tough one for the election denial movement in Arizona. Its candidates for U.S. Senate, governor, secretary of state and attorney general all lost. But it's still thriving in rural Cochise County, a vivid example of how paranoia about elections fanned by former President Donald Trump maintains a stubborn grip in rural parts of the country.
Republican budget proposal fails in House after Harris votes against caucus
It seemed nearly inevitable that legislative Republicans would send their continuation budget proposal to Gov. Katie Hobbs this week for a quick veto, starting the negotiation process between the Republican majority Legislature and the ninth floor. Plans have now changed after one stray vote from a Republican lawmaker who promised she wouldn’t vote on any bills to protest a “fraudulent” elec[...]
Election-denying lawmakers hold key election oversight roles
Republican lawmakers who have spread election conspiracy theories and falsely claimed that the 2020 presidential outcome was rigged are overseeing legislative committees charged with setting election policy in two major political battleground states. Divided government in Arizona and Pennsylvania means that any voting restrictions those GOP legislators propose is likely to fail.
2nd Oath Keepers Jan. 6 sedition trial to get underway
After securing seditious conspiracy convictions against two leaders of the Oath Keepers, the Justice Department will begin Monday to try to make its Capitol riot case against four others, including a Phoenix man, affiliated with the far-right extremist group.
Maricopa County supervisors certify election results, receive threats, criticism
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to certify the 2022 election after two hours of public comment and extensive presentations from election officials.
