In a significant development surrounding the 2022 midterm elections, two Republican county supervisors in Arizona have been indicted for allegedly obstructing the certification of the election results. Cochise County Supervisors Peggy Judd (R) and Tom Crosby (R) now face felony charges of interference with an election officer and conspiracy.

The indictment, returned earlier this week by an Arizona grand jury, accuses Judd, 61, and Crosby, 64, of intentionally impeding the timely transmission of the county's vote returns for inclusion in the statewide canvass. The charges stem from their decision to vote against certifying the county's midterm election results within the statutory deadline.

At the time, Judd and Crosby referenced a trio of conspiracy theorists who claimed that the county's voting machines were not properly accredited. Despite their objections, the Arizona secretary of state's office and the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission have both refuted these allegations.

Cochise County, which is located in the southeastern part of the state, was the only jurisdiction in Arizona that failed to certify its election results by the prescribed deadline. However, under a court order, the three-member county board ultimately certified the results a few days later. It is worth noting that Crosby was absent from the meeting and did not cast a vote, whereas Judd voted in favor of certification.

"The repeated attempts to undermine our democracy are unacceptable," stated Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D), who won by a narrow margin in the 2022 elections. Mayes emphasized her commitment to upholding the rule of law and supporting election officials in the performance of their duties.

The allegations against Judd and Crosby come at a time when Arizona has become a focal point for Republican challenges to the 2022 midterm elections. These challenges stem from former President Trump's unfounded claims of widespread electoral fraud during his unsuccessful re-election bid in the state two years ago.

The repercussions of this indictment could have far-reaching implications for election integrity in Arizona and beyond. The defendants will have the opportunity to present their case in court, and their responses to the charges remain unknown at this time.

The Hill has reached out to Judd and Crosby for comment, but their responses have not yet been obtained.

As this case progresses, it is likely that the impact on future election processes and the ongoing battle over election integrity will continue to be closely monitored both within Arizona and across the United States.