Election-integrity activists John Brakey and Jim March called it: When Judge Michael Miller issued his ruling on Dec. 18 that would allow the Pima County Democratic Party access to the 2006 Primary and General Elections databases, Brakey and March said they worried the county would file a stay keeping the Democrats from claiming the files, and appeal the ruling. 

Evidently, three days later, the Pima County Attorney's Office did just that. 

According to two documents sent to the Tucson Weekly, on Dec. 21, the Pima County Attorney's Office filed a notice of appeal and a motion to stay the release of the records. Evidently, if the county waited to file the appeal after the Jan. 8 meeting, it would miss the legal filing deadline. 

Brakey says he believes the county's plan is clear: Tie the case up in court, get past the November elections without any spotlight on elections security, and sweep any political mess under the rug so the current slate of supes doesn’t have to worry about it during re-election campaigns. 

Supervisor Ray Carroll, during a phone interview this morning, says he didn't know the stay and appeal had been filed. He understands a discussion regarding a potential appeal is supposed to be on the Jan. 8 agenda, but he hasn't seen any report or agenda proposal finds its way his 11th-floor office. 

The agenda and any addendums for the Jan. 8 meeting will be posted on the Pima County Web site by Jan. 3.