In a stunning breakthrough after the controversial US 2020 Election, A judge ruled Friday that Arizona Senate Republicans have access to Maricopa County’s 2.1 million ballots, and the voting machines used to count them.
“There is no question that the Senators have the power to issue legislative subpoenas,” Judge Thomason wrote, according to The Associated Press. “The Subpoenas comply with the statutory requirements for legislative subpoenas. The Senate also has broad constitutional power to oversee elections.”
“The Arizona legislature clearly has the power to investigate and examine election reform matters,” the ruling read. “The Subpoenas also do not violate separation of powers principles. Production of the subpoenaed materials would not violate confidentiality laws.”
Chairman of the board of the county’s supervisors, Jack Sellers said they will comply with the ruling, adding that he hopes senators “will show the same respect and care we have for the 2.1 million private ballots and use them in service of their legislative duties.” The Daily Wire reported.
“We respect his legal opinion and will immediately start working to provide the Arizona Senate with the ballots and other materials,” said a statement from the board chair. “These items are in addition to the more than 11GB of data already provided. We hope senators will show the same respect and care we have for the 2.1 million private ballots and use them in service of their legislative duties.”
Senate President Karen Fann said she was pleased with the ruling, adding that the request was never about overturning the election, but about voter integraty.
“We are thrilled and grateful that the judge was able to see the big picture in this whole issue,” Fann said, the AP reported. “That this has never been about overturning an election. This has always been 100% about voter integrity and finding the answers to all of our voters’ questions about the safety and security and validity of the Arizona electoral system.”
“The county Board of Supervisors has pointed to repeated checks that show the election was free and fair and properly conducted. They also did two additional audits in an effort to mollify the Senate,” the AP report added. “Early this week, they released the results of those new audits of their equipment that showed no malicious software or incorrect counting equipment and that none of the computers or equipment were connected to the internet. Previous reviews and a hand recount of a sample of ballots also found no issues.” The Daily Wire reported.
