Cochise County supervisors unanimously certify CD-7 special election results

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to certify the results of the Sept. 23, 2025, special general election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District, the board said at a short meeting where a public commenter urged immediate action.

Public comment framed the board's administrative duty. Tara Clayton, Cochise County organizer for Rural Arizona Action, told the board that "Under A.R.S. —7-642, the county board of supervisors must meet, canvass, and certify the election returns once they have been properly submitted." She said certification "does not mean endorsement of any candidate" but is required to recognize that ballots were lawfully cast and counted, and urged the board to act without delay: "I ask you to do what the law requires and what democracy demands. Certify the election results without delay." Clayton also recounted that the winning candidate, whom she named as Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, received 63.1% of the vote in District 7.

Supervisor Gomez moved to certify "the election results submitted by the Cochise County Elections Department as the official canvas for the special general CD 7 election held on 09/23/2025." The motion was seconded by the chair. Supervisor Crosby spoke before the vote to note a separate technical concern about voting-system test-lab accreditation rules, telling colleagues viewers should review an August presentation by Paul Rice and cautioning that a change in the voting-system test-laboratory (VSTL) certification manual eliminated a prior two-year reaccreditation requirement. Crosby said, "the issue is biennial reaccreditation of voting system test labs," and added he would vote to certify at this meeting despite the concern.

Supervisor Gomez also praised county elections staff: "I want to give a kudos to Melissa Avant for doing a great election. I know it was her first one, and she had Marty to help her out, and it was great." Gomez said she had seen problems in 2024 that would have given her pause but saw none in this election that would block certification.

The board voted unanimously in favor; the chair called for ayes and recorded a 3-0 vote. The board directed staff to transmit the certified canvas to Mr. Fontes.

The meeting included a single formal action (the certification). The board briefly discussed scheduling and noted the next regular meeting as Oct. 21 unless a special meeting is called.

Votes at a glance: The Board certified the Sept. 23, 2025, special general election for Arizona's 7th Congressional District as submitted by the Cochise County Elections Department (motion moved by Supervisor Gomez; seconded by the chair). Vote: 3-0, motion passes. The board instructed staff to transmit the certified canvas to Mr. Fontes.