Arizona official who certifies elections alleges fraud after his defeat

[RandySF]

PHOENIX — Fresh off losing a campaign for sheriff, Pinal County Supervisor Kevin Cavanaugh (R) voted “under duress” in August to certify the county’s primary election results.

This week, he threatened to sue the Arizona county that employs him, claiming — much like President Donald Trump did after his 2020 defeat — that the election had been rigged against him. In a formal notification signaling he intends to pursue a legal claim, Cavanaugh alleged that the Republican county recorder and five other election officials conspired to “modify the results” of the July 30 primary election.

Cavanaugh’s board term does not end until the end of the year, so he will play a role in certifying the general election results, including the presidential race. Cavanaugh has said he will fulfill his duty to accept those results, but his handling of his own loss worries county and state election officials.

Cavanaugh lost his primary race for sheriff by a 2-1 margin. He did not go to court to try to contest his defeat. Instead, he is putting county officials on alert through a “notice of claim” — a precursor to a lawsuit typically used by people who have suffered harm caused by government institutions — that he may sue the county for his electoral loss. In doing so, Cavanaugh is opening a new front in this battleground state in how those skeptical of election outcomes can work outside the traditional court system to try to prove their alleged claims of election interference, election experts and lawyers said.




https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/25/pinal-county-arizona-voter-fraud-kevin-cavanaugh/