2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit

2021 Maricopa County Presidential Ballot Audit

The 2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit was a controversial and highly publicized review of the 2020 United States presidential election ballots in Maricopa County, Arizona. The audit was initiated by the Arizona State Senate and conducted by private contractors, most notably the firm Cyber Ninjas. The process and findings of the audit have been the subject of significant debate and scrutiny.

Background

The audit was ordered by the Republican-controlled Arizona State Senate following claims of election irregularities and fraud in the 2020 presidential election, where Joe Biden won the state of Arizona by a narrow margin. Maricopa County, the most populous county in Arizona, became a focal point for these claims.

Audit Process

The audit began in April 2021 and involved a hand recount of approximately 2.1 million ballots. The process was conducted at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona. The audit was led by Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based cybersecurity firm with no prior experience in election audits. The audit faced criticism for its lack of transparency, partisan nature, and deviation from standard auditing practices.

Findings

The final report of the audit was released in September 2021. It confirmed that Joe Biden had indeed won Maricopa County, with a slightly larger margin than the official results had shown. Despite this, the report raised questions about certain election procedures and suggested improvements for future elections.

Controversy and Criticism

The audit was criticized by election experts, bipartisan officials, and the U.S. Department of Justice for its methodology and potential to undermine public confidence in the electoral process. Critics argued that the audit was politically motivated and lacked credibility. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which oversees elections in the county, strongly opposed the audit and defended the integrity of the 2020 election results.

Impact

The audit had significant political and social implications. It fueled ongoing debates about election integrity and the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. The audit also influenced similar efforts in other states and became a rallying point for supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Also see

• 2020 United States presidential election in Arizona
• Cyber Ninjas
• Election audits in the United States
• Voter fraud in the United States