Arizona Official's Plea Deal: What It Means for Upcoming Elections

In the heart of Arizona, a county official has signed a plea deal, admitting she delayed the certification of the 2022 election results. Peggy Judd, a supervisor from Cochise County, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, avoiding felony charges that could've cost her public office. The deal comes just before the upcoming 2024 presidential election, where Arizona is again a key player. Arizona law stops felons from holding office, but with this deal, Judd keeps her seat. She faced charges for not certifying the election results on time, along with another Republican supervisor, Tom Crosby, who still faces felony counts. The delay caused quite a stir after the 2022 midterm elections, with former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake questioning the close results. Judd’s plea deal includes a fine and probation. The state attorney general, Kris Mayes, stressed that any attempts to mess with Arizona's elections won't be tolerated. This case sheds light on the importance of following election rules and the consequences of not doing so.