Cochise supervisors authorize letter to national intelligence director on voting-system test labs; public commenter calls it a 'fishing expedition'

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 24 to authorize the chair to sign a letter requesting information concerning Voting System Test Laboratory (VSTL) accreditation and ES&S voting-system certification.

The motion, brought by a supervisor and seconded by the chair, asked the chair to sign the letter dated Feb. 24, 2026, directed to Tulsi Gabbard and seeking clarification about the VSTL accreditation process and how federal statutory interpretation applies to voting-system certification procedures.

A public commenter objected to the action, calling earlier, similar letters "futile attempts to uncover some dubious shred of evidence" and described the proposed inquiry as a "fishing expedition." The commenter also raised broader political concerns and cited prior letters to state officials that received no response.

Supervisors responded that the county's request is intended to clarify administrative processes used to accredit test laboratories and confirm that accreditation procedures are being applied properly to the county's machines, not to pursue criminal investigations. One supervisor said the letter is "just an inquiry" intended to establish public confidence in election processes and to get federal guidance on VSTL accreditation and ES&S certification.

The board adopted the motion; recorded vote was 2-0 with one member not voting.