In a significant development, a grand jury has indicted two local officials from Cochise County, Arizona, for their alleged role in delaying the certification of the county's midterm election results in 2022. State Attorney General Kris Mayes made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing that Cochise County Supervisors Peggy Judd, 61, and Tom Crosby, 64, have been charged with serious felonies.

The indictment accuses Judd and Crosby of conspiring to delay the certification of election results and interfering with the statewide canvas conducted by the secretary of state. These charges carry a Class 5 felony classification, which could lead to prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 2.5 years.

The controversy surrounding Judd and Crosby began with their refusal to certify the county's election results by the statutory deadline. Despite months of baseless doubts regarding the integrity of the election, the county eventually had to certify the results after a court intervention.

It is worth highlighting that the certification of election results typically involves the approval of local officials, a crucial step in the election process across the country.

If Cochise County had failed to certify their results within the statewide deadline, there would have been serious implications. Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani would have lost his race for the U.S. House if the county's 47,000 votes were excluded from the statewide election confirmation.

The actions taken by Judd and Crosby were not limited to the election period. Prior to the election, the two officials cast unwarranted doubt on voting machines and advocated for a hand count of all ballots, against state law. As a result of their actions, the county elections director, Lisa Marra, who had been in charge of the county's elections for five years, ultimately resigned from her position.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Judd had participated in the controversial "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6, 2021. While she denied any involvement in illegal activities during an interview with the Tuscon Sentinel, reports suggest that she has been actively promoting conspiracy theories online.

Judd and Crosby join a growing list of Republicans who are facing criminal charges related to election denialism. Notably, more than a dozen Republicans who served as fake electors in the 2020 Electoral College have also been charged in Georgia and Michigan.

As of now, Judd and Crosby have not responded to requests for comment on their indictments. The trial proceedings will shed further light on the allegations and potential consequences for the officials involved.

The indictment and pending trial serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic processes and the consequences that can arise from undermining the integrity of elections.