It’s critical to step back and consider whether democracy is actually in danger as Cochise County, Arizona, residents struggle with the political unrest that has enveloped their community. Attorney General Kris Mayes is against the recent selection of a Republican county recorder to monitor upcoming elections and claims that the choice was made without sufficient consideration of how choices will be made in open sessions. This case highlights a wider issue: Arizona’s local elections are becoming more and more politicized, raising questions about whether democracy is actually being upheld.
The resignation of Lisa Marra, who defied GOP orders and received threats as a result, sits at the center of this controversy. Her departure aroused concerns about the impartiality of an increasingly polarized electoral process. The board then decided to employ Timothy La Sota, a lawyer who had previously defended G.O.P. election skeptics, which only served to exacerbate the situation. This choice raises more questions about whether Cochise County is actually working to ensure free and fair elections or if it’s just seeking to maintain Republican power.
Tom Crosby, one of the supervisors who supported Stevens, is currently under recall threats as a result of the time it took to resolve allegations about voting anomalies in previous elections. This demonstrates what many regards as Republicans’ attempts to use intimidation and legal wrangling to reduce voter turnout and sway election results rather than advocating for free and fair elections for all voters.
The current circumstances in Cochise County are a symptom of a bigger issue affecting all of Arizona: elections are becoming more and more politicized as a result of measures taken by Republican politicians to maintain their hold on local elected positions. These measures not only jeopardize the foundational democratic values of our nation but also limit citizens’ capacity to cast informed ballots and take part fully in our democratic process. We must keep asking the question, “Is democracy really being respected?” until adequate steps are made to secure fair elections throughout Arizona.
