YUMA, Ariz (AP) - The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office on Friday said it asked the Arizona attorney general to help in an “election tampering” investigation stemming from Tuesday’s primary election.
Sheriff’s Capt. Eben Bratcher said the investigation involved the possible mishandling or tampering with mail-in ballots in San Luis. The small city of about 45,000 residents on the border with Mexico is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Yuma.
Bratcher said the investigation was launched after the Yuma County Recorder’s Office received “multiple complaints” about possible election tampering on Tuesday. The Recorder’s Office processed ballots from the election and turned over evidence to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff asked Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office to assist with the probe on Friday. Brnovich spokesman Ryan Anderson confirmed they were asked to help but referred questions to the sheriff’s office.
Bratcher said the investigation was “very preliminary” and the goal is to ensure the integrity of the election.
In addition to primary elections for the state Legislature and corporation commission, residents of San Luis weighed in on races for county offices and city council members.
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