Arizona's Senate and the 2020 Election Audit: Transparency and Silence
The ongoing audit of the 2020 election has been a subject of considerable debate and scrutiny in Arizona, especially within the Senate. Despite claims of silence from the Senate, recent developments indicate a discrepancy between their public statements and actions. This article aims to clarify the situation, examine the evidence, and discuss the significance of the audit on election security and integrity.
Transparency and the Lack Thereof
The Arizona Senate has repeatedly stated that they are not silencing the result of the 2020 election audit. However, this claim has been met with skepticism given the circumstances. The auditors are set to release their ballot report soon, a process that was derailed by a team member contracting COVID-19. This delay has raised concerns about the overall transparency of the audit process.
Provenance and Evidence
The True The Vote organization has presented evidence to both the Attorney General (AG) and District Attorney's (DA) offices, employing the same technology used by the FBI to track rioters on January 6. The evidence gathered by True The Vote suggests that a security log on the election server was deleted around the time of the election. Specifically, this involved creating a fake ID and running a script program to overwrite all data from before February 5, 2021.
On July 15, 2021, the Senate held a public hearing under oath to reveal the current status of the audit. The transcript of the hearing provided evidence of the deliberate destruction of the server's security log, a critical piece of evidence in assessing the integrity of the 2020 election. This act constitutes "destruction of evidence," a criminal offense under federal law. The Arizona Attorney General has initiated an investigation into this incident.
Security and Procedural Mistakes
The Senate hearing also highlighted numerous security and procedural mistakes in the handling of the election. These included failing to follow critical written procedures, which could indicate either negligence or more sinister motives. The Maricopa County, which had the election servers, has not provided the election routers for the audit, a move that has been obstructive and frustrating for those seeking transparency.
Media and Public Interest
The media's role in this situation is crucial. Despite the significance of the evidence presented, much of it has not received the attention it deserves. Many fear that the lack of media interest is due to the potential negative implications for the county and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The final written report and the "big reveal" are eagerly awaited, as they could potentially expose individuals in "hot water."
Conclusion
The situation in Arizona highlights the importance of transparency and the integrity of the electoral process. While the Senate's actions may seem inconclusive to the public, the evidence presented in the audit hearings cannot be ignored. As the final report nears completion, the full implications of these findings will likely come to light, shaping the future of election security and public trust in democratic processes.