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Residents press supervisors for election working session and defend former county elections director
Summary
During the June 17, 2025 call to the public, residents urged the Cochise County Board of Supervisors to schedule a working session on election issues after litigation, and several speakers defended former Cochise County elections director Lisa Mara (transcript spelling also appears as "Marra") against public accusations.
Several residents addressed the Cochise County Board of Supervisors during the June 17, 2025 call to the public, urging the board to schedule a working session on election procedures and defending the county's former elections director.
Daniel LaChance, a Sierra Vista resident, said he sent the supervisors a letter detailing five issues he wants addressed for the upcoming election redo and asked, "When can we schedule that working session, and when can we get that done, and deal with these really significant issues that must be dealt with?" LaChance said the prior litigation lasted about two years and he urged an open working session so the county can restore public confidence.
Allison Morse (transcript: "Allison Morse") spoke in defense of the county's former elections director, who she identified as Lisa Mara (the transcript also uses the spelling "Marra") and who she said now serves as Arizona State Elections Director in the Secretary of State's office. "Lisa is to be commended for her courage to uphold the law and do the right thing under the most extreme pressure to do the opposite," Morse said. She characterized accusations against the former director as "completely false statements bordering on slander" and said the director followed legal advice from the county attorney, the Secretary of State's office, and the county's insurance program.
Radford Hyde, another Sierra Vista resident, told the board he supported LaChance's request and urged that the supervisors address the written concerns in a series of working sessions prior to placing new ballot language before voters. He also urged that any future ballot initiative follow the statutory requirement for signatures and a supermajority if required.
No formal action was taken by the board during the call to the public on these remarks. Board staff later noted records and letters referenced during public comment and offered to provide materials to speakers who request them.
