Is the May 2021 audit of the November 2020 Arizona election legitimate?

What is going on in Arizona?

Republicans in the Arizona State Senate hired a cybersecurity firm with no previous election audit experience to lead the project. They are using $150,000 of state funds as well as anonymous donations to continue the project.

Multiple election experts have pointed out big problems with the procedures being used, and don’t think it can deliver a reliable result.

Did a court rule that it was legal?

A judge agreed that the Senate had a right to subpoena the records, but did not rule on the legitimacy of the audit.

Didn’t Arizona already do an audit?

Yes. Right after the November 2020 election, two audits were carried out by the official (Republican lead) election commission. No discrepancies were found.

Arizona has very specific election audit requirements which it followed after the 2020 Presidential election.

Could this recount change the outcome of the election?

No. Joe Biden has already been inaugurated as President. The election results were certified by every state. Arizona contributed only 11 electoral votes to Biden’s 74 vote win margin.

Then why are they doing this?

First, it paves the way for new laws restricting voters who are eligible to vote from being able to exercise that right in the future by making it harder for them to vote.

Second, it makes people feel unsure about our elections and democracy by extending the life of a fake conspiracy theory. Faith in elections is at the heart of democracy.