Arizona's Maricopa County won't use any voting machines confiscated for GOP election 'audit'


Maricopa County, Arizona, announced Monday that it will replace all of the voting equipment handed over to private contractors for an election "audit" ordered by Arizona's Republican-controlled Senate. "The voters of Maricopa County can rest assured, the county will never use equipment that could pose a risk to free and fair elections," Maricopa County said in a statement. "As a result, the county will not use the subpoenaed equipment in any future elections."
Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors told Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in a letter Monday that it shares her concerns about potential tampering by the GOP-hired Florida audit contractors, Cyber Ninjas, which is not certified to handle election equipment in the U.S. When the state Senate subpoenaed the machines, compelling the county to turn over about 400 tabulating machines and 2.1 million ballots, that broke the chain of custody. Cyber Ninja's examination of the ballots has been widely panned by election experts as slapdash and lacking in basic security and transparency.
In May, the GOP-led Maricopa County government slammed the "audit" in a fiery letter to the state Senate. "Our state has become a laughingstock," the five Republicans and two Democrats wrote. "Worse, this 'audit' is encouraging our citizens to distrust elections, which weakens our democratic republic."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A Maricopa County spokesman said the county isn't sure who will pay for the new equipment. When the Senate seized the ballots and voting equipment, it agreed to reimburse the county for any costs incurred "as a result of damage and/or alternation of the Subpoenaed Materials by the Senate or its agents." The county is considering asking the Senate to cover the costs of new equipment and also discussing with Dominion Voting Systems whether it has to pay the remaining $3 million it owes under a three-year lease.
Cyber Ninjas has drawn scrutiny for its lack of audit experience and deeply flawed effort in Maricopa County, but critics also point out that its CEO, Doug Logan, has backed former President Donald Trump's false claims about the election being rigged. On Saturday in Phoenix, Trump supporters and QAnon conspiracy theorists debuted The Deep Rig, a film bankrolled by former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and based on debunked 2020 election fraud claims. Logan is revealed to be the voice of "Anon" halfway through the film.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The IDF's manpower problem
The Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 August
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?
Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps up
Speed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless