There was a big win for Maricopa County as they agreed to a settlement with the Arizona State Senate over a months-long dispute regarding the county’s routers, network logs, and voter registration database in the 2020 election audit. Senate President Karen Fann announced that they would drop their July 26 subpoena and be provided with the information necessary to finish the review.
According to the announcement, a special master would take questions from the Republican-controlled Senate’s election review contractors and provide them with the information needed. This deal would protect the sensitive information contained on the routers while avoiding massive penalties for not complying.
“The agreement sets up a Special Master paid for by the County, who will get the answers to questions the Senate has had concerning the routers and Spunk logs used in the 2020 election. Former Congressman John Shadegg will serve as the Special Master, working with computer technology experts. The Senate will finally get the answers to questions asked for in subpoenas issued to the County months ago,” the Arizona State Senate announces.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich previously went after Maricopa County and warned they would drop about $700 million in yearly state funding if they refused to comply. After agreeing to the settlement, the county also dropped a claim it filed regarding the decertified election equipment that was handed over to the auditor. The county had filed a $2.8 million claim to get the equipment replaced.
Maricopa County issued a statement saying that they don’t agree with the findings but that the County was “forced” to turn over the routers directly to Senate or face $700 million in revenue being withheld. They said that litigation “always comes with risk” and they had to determine what the best possible solution was in this “worst-case scenario.” They said they have fully complied with the Senate’s subpoenas and that further action is not warranted.
The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus, however, declared it a victory for election integrity and the Arizona taxpayer. They stated that they are looking forward to getting the final questions answered and wrapped up in the review of the Maricopa County election.
State Sen. President Fann also declared the victory in her own tweet. “HUGE win for the Az Senate today! Maricopa settlement gives us all the data needed to complete the review of the routers & Spunk log to the most comprehensive election audit in history. We got everything we need and more. Maricopa County goes home with its tail between its legs,” she wrote.
The Arizona Senate has continued to push forward despite Democrats trying to block at every turn. It is a huge win for Republicans in Arizona to get the routers and spunk logs, Cyber Ninjas with full access, and having Maricopa County cave and drop their $2.8 million dollars meaningless claim for a machine replacement.
