>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
This audit follows years of mounting concerns over election management in Maricopa County. The 2020 election audit uncovered discrepancies in ballot chain-of-custody documentation, mail-in ballot signature verification, and printing errors, alongside allegations of election law violations. Lesko herself was one of 139 Republicans in Congress who voted to challenge the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
Rekindling Controversy Over 2022 Elections
Lesko’s call for a comprehensive audit also revives debates over the 2022 midterms, where Kari Lake, a Trump-endorsed candidate, lost her gubernatorial bid under contentious circumstances. Critics have questioned how Lake could trail by over 100,000 votes while other Republicans, including President Trump in 2020, achieved significant victories in Maricopa County.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Maricopa County’s top election official, Stephen Richer, who oversaw that election, has faced backlash for his self-professed “anti-MAGA” stance. Richer’s admission in court documents that he aimed to “make life hell for Kari Lake” has raised concerns about impartiality in managing elections.
Audit Plans Under New Leadership
Maricopa County Chairman Thomas Galvin, though initially supportive of past elections, has agreed to pursue an audit. However, his critics point out that Galvin, appointed by former board members in 2021, has historically defended the county’s election system. His appointment followed the resignation of Supervisor Steve Chucri, who was caught on tape alleging “multifaceted” election fraud in Maricopa County.
Joining Lesko on the Board of Supervisors are Republicans Kate Brophy McGee, Mark Stewart, incumbent Thomas Galvin, and County Recorder Justin Heap. Democrat Steve Gallardo remains the only non-Republican official on the board.
Focus on Improving Election Systems
Lesko has wasted no time initiating discussions about improving election protocols. In her inaugural speech, she outlined plans for a comprehensive audit conducted by a “reputable firm.” She revealed that she and Galvin have already engaged in talks with the Arizona Senate President, House Speaker, and Florida Secretary of State to compare election systems and explore areas for enhancement.
“My motives are very pure. I want to make sure that everything is run right,” Lesko told 12 News’ Brahm Resnik when questioned about her objection to Arizona’s 2020 election results. She added, “The constituents want to make sure that our election system is reliable, and I am elected, and that was one of my promises.”
Just Released: Trump White House Collector’s Bobblehead!
Galvin echoed her sentiments, stating, “We’re going to look at reputable companies that know what they’re doing that we can have them peek under the hood and say, you can do X, Y, or Z better.”
A Divisive Path Forward
Lesko’s audit proposal has reignited debates about election integrity and the transparency of Maricopa County’s voting systems. Whether this effort will restore confidence or deepen partisan divides remains to be seen.
As Maricopa County’s leadership ushers in a new chapter, the planned audit stands as a litmus test for addressing widespread skepticism while navigating the complexities of modern election management.
