Republican Push for Hand-Counting Arizona Ballots Revealed in Exclusive Campaign

Republican lawmakers in Arizona privately pressured county leaders across the state to count ballots by hand instead of using machines, according to previously unreported text messages.

The messages, obtained by Votebeat through public record requests, reveal a concerted effort to sway Republican county supervisors. These officials are key decision-makers in how ballots are counted. The push for hand-counting comes despite state officials deeming the practice illegal.

In Mohave County, Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter requested a vote on hand-counting ballots after state Sen. Sonny Borrelli connected him with a lawyer who promised free representation. After discussing with the lawyer, Lingenfelter moved quickly to schedule a vote. State Sen. Wendy Rogers in Pinal County similarly pressured local supervisors, falsely claiming the legality of hand-counting ballots.

Despite these efforts, all Arizona counties currently plan to use machines for the upcoming election. Supervisors in Pinal and Mohave rejected hand-counting due to legal risks advised by county attorneys.

In Cochise County, two Republican supervisors, Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby, face felony charges for allegedly conspiring to interfere with the county’s midterm election, partly by pushing for a full hand count. Text messages show state Sen. David Gowan attempting to pressure Judd during a key vote, relaying that then-Senate President Karen Fann claimed there was no legal prohibition against hand counts. These pressures came despite repeated legal warnings against such practices.

The drawbacks of hand-counting are well-documented: increased costs, need for significant manpower, and potential for delays and inaccuracies. Yet, the push persists, with many county supervisors eyeing re-election this year. Pinal County Supervisor Kevin Cavanaugh suggested expanding post-election hand-count audits, while Mohave County Supervisor Ron Gould is seeking judicial clarity on the legality of machine use.

The drive for hand counts gained momentum following former President Trump’s unproven claims that voting machines were manipulated in the 2020 election. Despite court dismissals and procedural safeguards, some county officials remain focused on manual counts. Most Arizona voters use hand-marked paper ballots tabulated by scanners, and machines’ accuracy is verified through mandatory post-election audits.

In Cochise County, Judd and Crosby advocated using hand counts to verify machine results but faced legal consequences triggered by their actions. In 2023, Attorney General Kris Mayes opened an investigation, resulting in felony charges against them.

Efforts to eliminate voting machines continued in Mohave County, spearheaded by Borrelli and Rogers. Pressure tactics included direct lobbying of county supervisors and securing legal representation promises. Legal threats and cost concerns ultimately led to rejections of hand counts in Mohave and Pinal counties.

Pinal County experimented with hand-count trials and found the process slow and cumbersome. Supervisors, influenced by legal advice, hesitated to adopt full hand counts. State lawmakers maintained pressure through public meetings and private messages, asserting hand counts’ legality despite contradictory legal opinions.

Officials remain divided on the issue. Pinal County Supervisor Cavanaugh favors hand-counts if legally permissible and practical. The debate continues, with public trust and legal clarity at the forefront.

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.