Arizona 2022 Election Decertification Challenge

Lawsuit filed directly in the Arizona Supreme Court seeking to decertify the 2022 Arizona General Election filed on behalf of David Mast and Tom Crosby (in his personal capacity) against Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), Attorney General Kris Mayes (D), Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) and other county officials. The plaintiffs allege that Maricopa County failed to “uniformly apply signature verification standards for a material number of approximately 1.3 million votes” by comparing voters’ signatures on their mail-in ballots to voters’ most recent signatures instead of the registration record. The plaintiffs allege that Maricopa County’s signature verification protocol resulted in the “inclusion of illegal votes in Maricopa County” and therefore “diluted” the strength of the plaintiffs’ votes. 

The plaintiffs argue the alleged “inconsistent application” of Maricopa County’s signature verification plan means that Maricopa County voters “did not have their votes subjected to the same level of scrutiny” as those in other counties and therefore Maricopa County’s signature verification practice violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, and the Arizona Constitution. 

The plaintiffs allege that a “recount using proper verification” would be a necessary remedy but that is now impossible.  The plaintiffs claim that the “only appropriate remedy—as a matter of law—is to set aside all state–wide results of the 2022 Maricopa County election and strike such from the 2022 Arizona General Election Canvass.”  

The plaintiffs request that the Arizona Supreme Court declare Maricopa County’s signature verification practice in violation of the 14th Amendment and the Arizona Constitution. The plaintiffs  seek a recount of all mail-in ballots in Maricopa County, decertification of the 2022 statewide election results in Maricopa County or a court order requiring Maricopa County to conduct a new election.   

Last updated: August 24, 2023 4:13 pm EST