BREAKING Judge tosses out @AZGOP lawsuit vs Maricopa County, denies motion to block canvass & allows state to recoup attorneys fees from Republican Party. #12News
NEXT Just 1 elections case left on Maricopa County court docket: 'Sharpiegate II,' alleging problems with Sharpies used to fill out ballots. Five-hour trial starts 9 a.m. Friday before Judge Margaret Mahoney.
AZGOP RESPONDS @kelliwardaz demands hand count of all 3.4 million state ballots. BTW Initial opinion from GOP AG Mark Brnovich's office says SoS procedures manual has force of law.
ABOUT THOSE ATTORNEY FEES Judge allowed AZ Secretary of State to recoup attorney fees from @AZGOP under 'unjustified actions' statute. Fees, expenses & double damages may be assessed if a party does any of these things:
(h/t @dad2bnc) #12News
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LOCAL ANGLE Arizona plays a prominent supporting role in the sweeping Georgia indictment of Donald Trump. Key takeaway: Charges present new info on fake electors, more detail on other events.🧵
Fulton Co DA Willis & Special Counsel Smith rely on testimony from former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers: "I would not break my oath."
Trump, Giuliani & Ellis actions at Nov. 30, 2020, meeting at downtown PHX Hyatt "were overt acts in furtherance of conspiracy." Ducey & Hobbs certified presidential election same day. Finchem got stuck w $15,500 Hyatt bill.
BALLOT UPDATE Maricopa County posts 98,000 ballots. #AZGOV race tightens:
▶️@KariLake w 55% nets a gain of 8,911 votes.
▶️@KatieHobbs w 45% lead shrinks to 26,011
▶️MariCo has 85K-95K remaining ballots. Statewide est. 170K
Overall:
Hobbs 50.5%
Lake 49.5%
RULING Bottom line in Arizona judge's ruling allowing 158-year-old abortion ban to take effect. Ruling: bit.ly/3DThOr9
WAITING How does Republican prosecutor in Maricopa County, Arizona's largest, interpret judge's abortion ruling? County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has said she'd use discretion in prosecuting victims of rape & incest. "I don't want to revictimize victim." Expecting response shortly
NOW At MariCo Board meeting before primary it oversees, @ThomasGalvin & @billgatesaz urge voters not to use ball-point pen for in-person vote Aug. 2 - use pen provided at Vote Center. Galvin says 'amateurs' telling people to use ball point, which could gum up counting machines.
'Sadly, my party': Board Chair @billgatesaz says leaders in his party (GOP) are spreading disinformation: 'Don't do that... These folks predicting problems on election day, it's irresponsible.'
WHOA Supervisor Clint Hickman notes man who walked into meeting room & tried to intimidate board 'with his presence.' Board spox confirms it was Larry Naman, who shot & wounded Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox 25 years ago. Naman escorted out. Hickman said he'd alert MCSO.
BREAKING Planned Parenthood of Arizona says it is putting all abortion services on hold until there's a clear idea of the legal landscape in Arizona.
TOP PROSECUTOR "This office will apply our ethical charging standard of a reasonable likelihood of conviction when deciding on whether charges should be filed" - Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell
SUSPENDED Phoenix clinic that has provided abortions for almost 2 decades temporarily suspends services. bit.ly/3yidYEI
The Queen of Phoenix drag queens, Barbara Seville, spills the tea all over old friend & Trump-endorsed candidate for Arizona governor, @karilake. #AZGOV