The FBI is expanding its investigation into the 2020 election, recently obtaining records from Maricopa County, Arizona. This action follows a similar move in Fulton County, Georgia, where the FBI raided an election office earlier this year.
A Different Kind of Evidence
However, the nature of the evidence differs significantly between the two cases. In Fulton County, the FBI seized the actual ballots cast in the 2020 election. In Maricopa County, a federal grand jury subpoenaed digital data related to a partisan audit of the county’s vote, at the request of Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen.
The data, which may include scans and photos of ballots, was held by the Arizona Senate, not the county itself. The audit was conducted by the Cyber Ninjas, a firm funded by and directed by allies of President Donald Trump. Doug Logan, the leader of the Cyber Ninjas, admitted in text messages that the ballot recounts were “screwy.”
Concerns About Data Integrity
Election experts have raised concerns about the reliability of the data. Ryan Macias, a national elections technology consultant, stated that “accessing invalid data will only draw inaccurate conclusions and risk further degradation of public confidence.” The Department of Justice and the White House have not responded to questions regarding these concerns.
The subpoena is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reinvestigate the 2020 election. Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who previously assisted with efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, is assisting in leading the criminal inquiry. The FBI has as well reportedly been seeking access to Dominion Voting Systems machines in other locations.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who was Secretary of State during the 2021 audit, expressed skepticism about the value of the records, stating, “I don’t think anyone should have confidence in whatever comes out of whatever was turned over to the FBI.” Maricopa County’s 2020 election results have been repeatedly confirmed by both county hand-counts and independent audits, and courts have dismissed legal challenges alleging fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the role of the Cyber Ninjas in the Maricopa County audit?
The Cyber Ninjas were a firm hired by Senate Republican leaders to conduct an audit of the 2020 election results in Maricopa County. They were funded by and took direction from Trump allies.
What concerns were raised about the Cyber Ninjas’ audit procedures?
Concerns were raised about the firm’s methodology, partisanship, and failure to follow procedures to prevent tampering. Workers made errors recounting votes and sent data to a Montana cabin without ensuring its security.
What has been the response to the 2020 election results in Maricopa County?
Maricopa County’s 2020 election results have been repeatedly confirmed by multiple audits and court rulings.
Given the documented issues with the data’s origins and handling, what impact might this investigation have on public trust in the electoral process?
