Could election denialism in a feuding Arizona county upend US democracy?

Cochise county, Arizona, is a rural, red county on the US-Mexico border in southern Arizona.

The election denialism movement has taken hold in parts of the U.S. and could continue to wreak havoc on democracy.

The county's elections director resigned in the months since the November election, citing “outrageous conduct and objectively difficult and unpleasant working conditions” The board of supervisors gave the county recorder near-total control over local elections.

Cochise county is a conservative stronghold in the south-east corner of Arizona, bordered by New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico.

The county has approved nearly $120,000 in legal fees related to the hand count and certification delay.

The hand count battle kicked off a series of election disputes that culminated in fired-up local Democrats and a national lens on the rural county.

The lingering election drama has sparked backlash from local residents who worry the supervisors’ actions are undermining democracy and costing the county money.

A bipartisan group started a campaign to recall Crosby.

The group needs to collect nearly 5,000 valid signatures from Crosby’s constituents to force a vote.

Crosby filed for re-election in January, seeking another term in 2024.