Dems Floored: State Lawmakers Go Beyond Ballot Audit, Strip Power From Secretary Of State
Democrats did not see this one coming and they are stunned.
Republican controlled State Legislatures have learned their lesson and are securing elections and have gone beyond audits.
The State Legislature in Arizona voted to revoke the Secretary of State’s legal authority in election-related lawsuits which will now be handled by the attorney general’s office.
Republicans inserted the measure inside budget legislation that also addressed election integrity. One item designates half a million dollars to study how much social media sites interfered in state elections by promoting Democrats and censoring Republicans.
The entire State Legislator approved the bill and it is expected that Governor Doug Ducey, Republican, will sign the plan.
State lawmakers are shifting power to secure future elections but to also prepare for interference from the Biden Administration.
The Department of Justice has already notified the State of Arizona they may sue if they believe federal law has been violated. Should the DOJ sue Democrat Secretary of State Katie Hobbs would fight the lawsuit. Now, Republican, Attorney General Mark Brnovich would take on the DOJ if such a suit is filed.
Arizona’s Attorney Generals office will have exclusive control over election lawsuits up until January 2, 2023 when Hobbs and Brnovich term expires.
The new legislation will also require all future ballots to contain three anti-fraud countermeasures like holograms, watermarks, ultraviolet-visible numbers, engravings, or special inks.
State Senator Sonny Borrelli stated that ballots should have the same countermeasures that protect currency.
“Shouldn’t your ballot have the same protections?” he said.
The provision to limit Hobb’s power came after she started trying to disbar the state Attorney General and his staff.
“I don’t know what’s more political than the secretary of state submitting charges against almost the entire upper echelon of the attorney general,” Leach said.
“I would say the unprecedented attack on the attorney general, the chief deputy and many high-level attorneys is uncalled for,” Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson said. “This is really disconcerting and should be disconcerting to the people of Arizona.”
“She’s the one acting politically,” added Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria.
