Recorder David Stevens acknowledged the order that blocks the county from hand counting all ballots. But, Stevens said, he was moving ahead on the advice of his attorney, Bryan Blehm.
By Mary Jo Pitzl || Arizona Republic
Cochise County officials are proceeding with a hand count of every ballot cast in Tuesday’s election, despite a court ruling that bars them from doing so.
Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday authorized its attorney to appeal that ruling to the Arizona Supreme Court, complicating the timeline for when — or if — the controversial count would actually happen.
Recorder David Stevens acknowledged the order that blocks the county from hand counting all ballots. But, Stevens said, he was moving ahead on the advice of his attorney, Bryan Blehm.
“I have to drive on as if it’s going to happen,” Stevens said, noting the law requires a hand count to begin within 24 hours of when the polls close on Election Day. He set a meeting for late Wednesday afternoon with the county’s political party chairmen to select the four ballot races to include in the hand count.
If he doesn’t start the process Wednesday, Stevens said, critics could argue the county had missed the window to begin the unorthodox full count.
“I’m between a rock and a hard place,” he said.
