In a startling development, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a threatening letter to counties across the state.

The letter, sent earlier this month, warns of potential prosecution if they adhere to a recently passed resolution that prohibits the use of foreign-made and non-compliant voting machines. This move has sparked outrage and controversy, with many questioning the motives behind such an audacious act.

Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1037, which was passed in both the Arizona House and Senate, clearly outlines the new standards for voting machines.

It stipulates that no voting system or component, including firmware software or hardware, can be used as the primary method for casting, recording, and tabulating ballots in any federal election unless it meets specific criteria.

These include being designed, manufactured, integrated, and assembled in the United States by trusted suppliers using trusted processes accredited by the Defense Microelectronics Activity as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Furthermore, the source code used in any computerized voting machine for federal elections must be made available to the public.

The ballot images and system log files from each tabulator must be recorded on a secure write-once, read-many media with a clear chain of custody and posted on the Secretary of State’s website free of charge to the public within 24 hours after the close of the polls.

Despite these clear guidelines, Mayes has chosen to challenge the resolution. In her letter, she falsely claims that Arizona law requires votes to be counted by “automatic tabulating equipment.”

However, ARS 16-621 provides that “the officer in charge of elections may direct that [ballots] be counted manually” when using machines becomes impracticable. The resolution lays out the new standards for security and practicability.

Arizona’s current law does not mandate the use of electronic voting machines; it only allows for it.

This blatant disregard for the law has drawn sharp criticism from several quarters.

Arizona State Senator Sonny Borelli responded to Mayes’ threat with a dismissive “HAHAHA.” He further clarified, “Electronic voting systems are not mandated by statute to be used in Arizona. If you don’t use them, how else would you count votes?”

The legislature also passed SB1074, which designated the same requirements for electronic voting machines. However, this bill was vetoed by Katie Hobbs, who is accused of winning her election through faulty machines when 59% of them failed on Election Day.

This ongoing saga has raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Arizona.