By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Pima County officials gathered Friday to outline their efforts to ensure a safe, secure, transparent and accessible election, addressing community concerns about voter intimidation and interference.
Read more Peoria police finish search of district office in teacher misconduct investigation
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said the election will be conducted the same as in previous cycles, but acknowledged a shift in public perception.
“What’s different now is that there are a lot of questions and concerns from the community,” Conover said.
She said those concerns stem from national-level messaging, recent executive orders and court actions that have raised questions about election security.
“Local prosecutors, district attorneys, county attorneys have not historically been accustomed to needing to challenge federal orders on behalf of their community, but we are, routinely at this point,” Conover said.
Conover said the county is prepared to seek court intervention if voter intimidation occurs at polling sites.
“We will be prepared to run into court again as we have time and again to make sure that we get a court order in hand — that we do everything we can as lawyers to get a court order in hand to stop you from your behavior and your intimidation,” she said.
Conover said voters casting ballots by mail, drop box or in person can expect their vote to count.
“No matter what party you are, or no party, you’re gonna have a free and fair, safe opportunity to vote,” she said.
Read more Trump administration rolls back a key protection for imperiled wildlife
Tucson Police Department Deputy Chief Mickey Petersen said his department has an operations plan in place and urged voters to report any concerns.
“We have an operations plan in place, we’ll have a real time crime center up and operating, we’ll have emergency operations center up and operating,” Petersen said.
Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly said the county has re-implemented its Elections Oversight Task Force, a measure typically reserved for major federal elections.
“Those have been really instrumental in identifying different scenarios. So when we did this same exercise in 2024, we identified that we needed a backup generator,” Cazares-Kelly said.
Cazares-Kelly said voters will be able to track their ballots throughout the entire process and can contact her office with any questions or concerns.
=====================================================
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Man killed at Phoenix assisted living facility identified; suspect unknown
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.