Are Democrats rejoicing over this breaking news that a judge ordered a halt to the Senate’s audit of Maricopa County election returns?
Sadly for them, the count is delayed at least through noon Monday, April 26.
A hearing was held today, and Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury said he wants to see information ensuring that all state laws dealing with the security and secrecy of ballots is being complied with by the contractors hired by the Senate to review the 2.1 million ballots, and the machinery used to count them.
At least through April 26? Why not longer? It’s still unclear whether all work will stop now through 5 p.m. today, as Coury’s order remains unclear.
The judge gave an attorney for the Senate, Kory Langhofer, until 5 p.m. Friday to see if the state Court of Appeals would overturn the temporary restraining order.
Democrats are definitely doing all they can to stop the truth about voter fraud getting out. But they will have to buck up to stay in the game. Coury’s order is contingent on the Arizona Democratic Party — which filed suit against the audit — posting a $1 million bond to compensate Cyber Ninjas, the private firm hired by the Senate to conduct the work, should it need to hire additional help to make up for the lost time.
Langhofer objected to the cessation of counting, saying that legislators are immune from civil suit while the Legislature is in session. The lawsuit by the Arizona Democratic Party and Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, names Senate President Karen Fann and Sen. Warren Petersen, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
And as Democrats love to do, they sue the entire food chain. Thus, also named in the lawsuit is Cyber Ninjas, the Florida firm retained by the Senate to conduct the audit. According to Langhofer, that makes them agents of the Legislature and entitled to the same immunity.
While Democrats fear exposure for their dirty deeds, Langhofer argues that this is an issues of constitutional separation of powers.
And the purpose of the audit is to determine if there are weaknesses in state election laws and whether revisions are necessary.
“How the Legislature conducts its own investigations in determining whether new legislation is necessary and what that legislation might look like isn’t a question on which the judicial branch can opine,” Langhofer said.
Coury appears to disagree and wants to cover his ass. He appears to be concerned about the secrecy of information turned over to the Senate — and now in the hands of Cyber Ninjas. So he agreed to order all work temporarily stopped until he can hear more evidence on Monday.
Who is Coury?
Coury was initially appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer (R) on January 28, 2010, effective March 2010.
He ran for re-election for judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona. He won in the general retention on November 3, 2020. His current term ends on January 6, 2025.
I suggest to Democrats that they are celebrating prematurely. Coury appears to be just making sure Democrats have no recourse when the truth comes out.
