Pima County Board of Supervisors approves canvass of CD‑7 special election; supervisors criticize House speaker's delay

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on the canvass of the special congressional election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District during a special meeting, with supervisors pressing that the delay in seating the winner has left Southern Arizona without full representation.

Elections Director Miss Hargrove told the board that "the canvas dates are set by statute, and we have a range. So there is an absolute, final date that we can canvas an election. And so typically, we end up canvassing our election on the last date that counties can canvas an election." She said the Arizona Secretary of State's office also has a statutory deadline for canvassing and that counties' canvasses do not alter the secretary's timetable. Hargrove said the secretary of state had already contacted the congressional delegation to report that Adelita Grijalva was the winner of the election.

The canvass item drew criticism of House leadership from multiple supervisors. Supervisor Cano said the county has now waited 16 days since the election and that the delay by the House speaker is denying Southern Arizona representation. "The voters have spoken. Their will must be honored," Cano said, adding that without being sworn in "congresswoman-elect Grijalva cannot hire staff, access House resources, or deliver essential constituent services to families and communities across Southern Arizona." Supervisor Hines also criticized the House speaker's decision as political and said the delay has left the district without a voting member of Congress.

County Administrator Lesher had no introductory remarks. The board moved and seconded the canvass item and then approved it by voice vote; Chair Scott announced the item "passes 5 0." County Recorder Gabriela Casares Kelly and Elections Department staff were acknowledged for their work in conducting the election.

The board’s action was procedural: approving the local canvass as submitted by the Elections Department. Miss Hargrove emphasized that state statute sets the window for canvassing and that the county's canvass does not determine House procedures for swearing-in members. The board took no further formal actions related to contesting or requesting immediate seating of the congresswoman-elect.

With the canvass approved and no further business, Chair Scott adjourned the special meeting.