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Cochise County appoints Melissa Avant as elections director amid questions on turnover and voting-machine records
Summary
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to appoint Melissa Avant as the county elections director effective May 27, 2025, after public comments raised concerns about high staff turnover, records requests about ES&S voting machines and legal disputes involving the county's election practices.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on May 20 to appoint Melissa Avant as the county’s elections director, effective May 27, 2025.
The appointment followed public comment and extended questioning from supervisors about recent turnover in the elections office, public-records requests for voting-machine modification records, and past legal disputes between Cochise County and the Arizona attorney general’s office. Supporters on the board emphasized staff continuity and a planned transition with the interim director assisting Avant through an upcoming special election.
County Administrator Miss Gilman told the board the position was advertised in March and candidates were screened by county staff, including Deputy County Administrator Joe Casey and Human…
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