News

Justice Department Says Arizona Election Audit May Violate Federal Law

The U.S. Justice Department voiced concern Wednesday that the audit of Maricopa County’s 2020 election results is likely in violation of federal law. The audit was approved by the Republican-majority Arizona State Senate which said it was necessary to maintain election integrity.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela Karlan wrote in a letter that there are two issues with the audit and election review that likely make the action illegal.

“We have a concern that Maricopa County election records, which are required by federal law to be retained and preserved, are no longer under the ultimate control of elections officials, are not being adequately safeguarded by contractors, and are at risk of damage or loss,” Karlan wrote in her letter to Arizona State Senate President Karen Fann (R). Karlan is referencing the fact that the Republican-led State Senate handed confidential election materials over to the private tech firm Cyber Ninjas, likely in violation of election laws.

The second issue in question are plans between the Senate and Cyber Ninjas to “identify voter registrations that did not make sense, and then knock on doors to confirm if valid voters actually lived at the state address,” as said in the State Senate’s contract with Cyber Ninjas. Those who speak to voters will determine “whether the individual voted in the [November] election.” This is in direct violation with voter intimidation laws, Karlan explained.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“Past experience with similar investigative efforts around the country has raised concerns that they can be directed at minority voters, which potentially can implicate the anti-intimidation prohibitions of the Voting Rights Act,” Karlan noted in her letter. “Such investigative efforts can have a significant intimidating effect on qualified voters that can deter them from seeking to vote in the future.”

The Senate and Cyber Ninjas’ plan to speak to voters was already heavily criticized, most notably by the Brennan Center for Justice which has asked the Department of Justice to send federal monitors to the audit.

Brandon Mumei

Share
Published by
Brandon Mumei

Recent Posts

Kamala Harris Panned For No-Show At California Democratic Convention Amid Rumored Run For Governor

Following her failed presidential campaign, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ political future is uncertain. Many…

2 hours ago

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie Warns Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Send U.S. Straight Into A ‘Titanic’-Sized Fiscal Iceberg

In the early hours of the morning, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) delivered a harsh warning…

4 hours ago

Under FBI Director Kash Patel, Agents Are Forced To Take Polygraph Tests To Root Out Leakers

FBI Director Kash Patel has made it clear that he intends to shape the organization in…

4 hours ago

Trump’s Net Worth Has Increased By $3 Billion This Year After Windfall From Crypto-Related Ventures

Within the past year, President Donald Trump’s net worth has increased by over $3 billion…

7 hours ago

20% Of Congress Is Over Age Of 70, Highest Mark In Modern History

As of January 2025, 119 members of Congress, approximately one-fifth of the legislative branch, were…

7 hours ago

After Rep. LaMonica McIver Is Indicted For Incident At ICE Detention Center, Democrats Say Trump Administration Is Trying To Intimidate Opponents

Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-New Jersey) was indicted on charges following an incident at an ICE…

8 hours ago