Navajo County, Arizona, is seeking a new election official, with a key stipulation: the applicant must be a Republican. The search follows the resignation of Recorder Tim Jordan, effective April 15, after he reached a plea deal in a criminal case and faced mounting scrutiny over his promotion of false claims about election integrity.
Jordan’s departure brings an end to a tumultuous year in office, marked by a felony charge stemming from a 2024 road rage incident. He was initially indicted on charges including disorderly conduct with a weapon, a charge that could have disqualified him from holding office, according to Votebeat. He agreed to a plea deal on December 30, 2025, and subsequently announced his resignation.
The vacancy comes at a critical juncture, as the new recorder will oversee elections through 2028, including the 2026 midterm and the 2028 presidential election. The Navajo County Board of Supervisors, currently controlled 3-to-2 by Democrats, is tasked with filling the position. However, Arizona state law mandates that the appointee be a member of the Republican party, as Jordan was.
Board Chair Daryl Seymore, a Republican, emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls, focusing on removing deceased individuals. “That’s the cleanup part that needs to be done, and done thoroughly,” Seymore said, adding that he wanted someone who could “do the job that’s required.” He also stressed the necessitate for a candidate who understands the broader responsibilities of the recorder’s office, including recording official documents.
Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger, a Democrat, expressed a desire for a new recorder with “a public servant’s heart.” The search for a qualified candidate is complicated by the rural nature of Navajo County, which, like other rural areas, has faced challenges in attracting applicants for key positions, particularly following controversies surrounding previous officeholders.
Bill Gates, executive director of Arizona State University’s Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory and a former GOP supervisor in Maricopa County, highlighted the staffing challenges faced by smaller counties. “These smaller counties are often run with a compact workforce,” Gates said. “You don’t have the capability to have a deep bench.”
As of February 26, 2026, the county has received nine applications, including one from Jose Lerma, a voter registration coordinator within the recorder’s office who was recommended by Jordan. Lerma, who recently registered as a Republican to be eligible for the position, stated he believes he could contribute significantly to the office. He affirmed the current office’s practice of maintaining clean voter rolls and described past elections in the county as “clean and fair,” even as expressing less certainty about elections in other parts of the state.
Seymore indicated that Jordan’s recommendation would not influence his evaluation of the candidates. The board intends to thoroughly vet all applicants, with all supervisors involved in the process. The application deadline is March 6.
