Arizona Republicans Charged in ‘Fake Elector’ Scheme
Eleven Republican individuals in Arizona have been indicted on charges of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery for submitting a false document to Congress claiming that Donald Trump had won the state’s electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. This marks a significant development in the ongoing investigations into Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results.
The defendants in the Arizona case include the former chair of the Arizona Republican Party, Kelli Ward, along with other prominent figures such as State Senator Jake Hoffman, Tyler Bowyer of Turning Point USA, State Senator Anthony Kern, and several other Republican officials. The indictment also names an unindicted co-conspirator who is clearly identified as Trump himself.
On December 14, 2020, the defendants convened in Phoenix and signed a certificate falsely declaring themselves as the duly elected presidential electors from Arizona, claiming that Trump had carried the state. This document was subsequently sent to Congress and the National Archives, but it was ultimately ignored as Biden had won the state’s popular vote by over 10,000 votes.
The indictments in Arizona follow a series of similar charges against fake electors in other states. In December 2022, six Republicans were indicted in Nevada, and in July 2022, 16 fake electors were charged in Michigan. Additionally, three fake electors have been charged in Georgia alongside Trump and others.
The Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes, has stated that she is committed to protecting American democracy and will not allow it to be undermined. The charges against these individuals underscore the seriousness of their actions and the ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute those involved in the fake elector scheme.
The investigation into the fake elector scheme is ongoing, and it is possible that additional charges may be filed in the future. The outcome of these cases will have significant implications for the future of American democracy and the rule of law.
