Cochise County appoints Melissa Avant as elections director amid questions about machines and turnover

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 Tuesday to appoint Melissa Avant as the county's elections director, with the appointment effective May 27, 2025. The nomination moved after staff recommended Avant following a public recruitment and interview process.

The discussion followed multiple public speakers who raised concerns about the county's recent turnover in the elections office and outstanding records requests related to voting machines. Allison Morris, a Portal registered voter, told the board the county has had high turnover since early 2023 and urged supervisors to ensure the new director has legal and technical support for upcoming elections. Public commenter Paul Rice urged the board to verify what software or hardware updates have been deployed on the county's ES&S machines and noted outstanding public-records requests to the Secretary of State and the Elections Assistance Commission.

During the meeting, county staff described the recruitment process. A staff member explained that the position was advertised, applications were narrowed to three finalists and that interviews included county staff and the interim director. Interim director Marty Renteria will assist Avant in the transition to the office and help manage the special primary election scheduled soon.

Supervisors pressed Avant on how she would handle conflicts between board direction and state authorities. Avant responded that she is obligated to follow lawful directives of the board and county administration, and that if a majority-board directive were unlawful or violated election statutes she would work with the board and administration to seek alternative solutions, including involving the county attorney or outside counsel.

Vice Chairman Crosby asked whether Avant would be “insubordinate” if told to follow an illegal order; Avant said she does not see insubordination as part of her professional approach and reiterated she would not perform actions that violated law. Chairman Antonari said the board and county administration would support the elections director with legal counsel if disputes arise, and that interim director Renteria would remain on hand to assist during the transition.

Several speakers referenced past legal disputes involving the county and the state, including a 2022 lawsuit brought by the Arizona attorney general concerning county election agreements and questions about laboratory accreditation for voting-machine certification raised by public commenters. Avant said she could not speak to the 2022 litigation because she was not in the office at that time.

The motion to appoint Avant passed by voice vote, 3-0. The board and county staff said they will provide training and resources; staff reported Avant is already registered for Secretary of State certification training in June.

The board directed staff to coordinate a transition plan for the special primary election and to ensure the new director receives training and legal support as needed.