Arizona grand jury indicts former candidate of Cochise County Superior Court for perjury
Oct 24, 2021, 7:00 AM | Updated: 11:59 am
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian D. Boatright swears in members of the House of Representatives during the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/Getty Images)
(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — An Arizona grand jury earlier this month indicted a former candidate for the Cochise County Superior Court for perjury, Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Thursday.
Sandra Russell, 48, of Sierra Vista, is being accused of allegedly signing a false “declaration of qualification” as part of her 2020 candidacy, according to a press release.
According to the Oct. 4 indictment for perjury, Russell said she would “have been a citizen of Arizona for 7 years” at the time of the Nov. 3, 2020 general election, while previously completing an “Oath of Elector” in DeKalb County, Georgia on May 26, 2016.
Russell stated, “I … do swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen … of the State of Georgia,” the indictment alleges.
The law in Arizona only allows someone to have one place of residence for purposes of voting and seeking elected office.
Candidates for the office of Superior Court Judge are required to be state residents for at least five years before taking office.
Russell will remain innocent until proven guilty while the case is being prosecuted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Election Integrity Unit.
