2nd Arizona county delays certifying election, for now

PHOENIX — A second Republican-controlled Arizona county on Monday delayed certifying the results of this month’s election as a protest against voting issues in Maricopa County that some GOP officials have blamed for their losses in top races including the contest for governor. The delay came as Maricopa, the state’s most populous county, finished counting the last remaining ballots and the state attorney general demanded that officials there explain Election Day problems some voters experienced. “Arizonans deserve a full report and accounting of the myriad problems that occurred in relation to Maricopa County administration of the 2022 general election,” the head of the unit, Jennifer Wright, wrote. Maricopa County board Chair Bill Gates said the county will respond “with transparency as we have done throughout this election.” The county said that about 17,000 Election Day ballots were involved and had to be counted later instead of at the polling place. “Their votes have been worth less than they were prior to this vote due to the mismanagement and the disfunction of the Maricopa County elections department.” The vote to delay the Mohave County vote canvass was not unanimous, although all five board members are Republicans.