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Analyst says threats on election officials 'horrific and terrifying'

Due to ongoing threats from supporters of Donald Trump, a pair of Republican elections officials are resigning in Yavapai County. Recorder Leslie Hoffman and elections director Lynn Constabile say they’ve even endured continuous harassment and even death threats.

“This is horrific and terrifying," said political analyst Mike O'Neil. "This is the essence of what you need to have a functioning democracy. You need honest people who are going to abide by the rules.”

O’Neil says these kinds of threats have a chilling effect on those in charge of elections. 

"The Arizona process has been among the best in the country," O'Neil said. "Frankly, we run really good elections, the systems are transparent."

The threats have continued since the 2020 election, despite Trump’s strong performance in Yavapai County. Only 48% of the county’s voters are Republican, but Trump won 64% of the vote.

Nick Sanchez is a senior producer for KJZZ's The Show. He joined the station as an intern during the spring of 2022, where he developed a passion for audio storytelling in the Valley.