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Maricopa County Chairman Says 2022 Midterm Election Was ‘Run Extremely Well,’ Board Votes to Certify Results

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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona voted unanimously on Monday to certify their election canvass, despite widespread and well documented voting machine problems on Election Day.

During a tense meeting ahead of the vote, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates explained that certification 20 days after the election is not “an optional act” for Board supervisors. “It is our statutory duty,” he said, adding that registered voters who would like to formally contest the official election results can do so within five days after the county and the state canvasses.

“The canvass is what makes the results official,” he explained. “Once it’s official, those results can be challenged in a court of law.”

Speaking after Gates, was Maricopa County recorder Stephen Richer, who said conversations about voter integrity needed to focus on real issues, rather than “conspiracy theories promoted on social media by people who know nothing about elections.”  His comments spurred an outcry from the attendees, prompting Gates to warn them to be respectful or he would call a recess.

When Richer was done speaking, Gates praised him, saying, “this election was run extremely well, as you pointed out.”

Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake quipped in response: “Put down Hunter’s pipe, Bill.”

 

Dozens of residents—including poll workers, election observers and voters—registered their complaints on how the election was run in the county.

Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake posted some of their comments on social media.

Ben Bergquam of Real America’s Voice News didn’t mince words.

“What we saw on Election Day was outrageous and to say anything but that—either you think we’re stupid or you’re just that arrogant. You cannot say that you can certify an election when half the voting machines were down,” Bergquam said. “Was it a thousand people that were disenfranchised, was it ten thousand?” he continued.

Bergquam pointed out that many people who were waiting in long lines, likely gave up and went home, and some people who heard about the long lines on the news maybe even didn’t bother to show up at all.

The journalist referenced the “pro Democracy” political action committee (PAC) Richer set up in 2021 to stop GOP candidates who believe the 2020 election was stolen.

Addressing Gates, he said, “the fact that you were on a PAC that went against Kari Lake, as was Richer—how can you say there was no conflict of interest? You have a Secretary of State running against a gubernatorial candidate—how can you say there’s no conflict of interest?” he demanded.

Bergquam added: “And then the machines go down on Election Day. It is absolutely outrageous! If you certify today, the only thing you’ll be certifying is your corruption.”

Gail Golec, a precinct Committeewoman and election integrity expert, schooled the supervisors on what their actual statutory duty was after an election fraught with irregularities.

“A Canvass should be conducted by the statutory deadline, but should not be conducted until all necessary audits have been completed to verify the accuracy and integrity of the election results. We do not have accuracy. We do not have integrity in these election results,” she said, pointing out that uncounted ballots were intermingled with counted ballots, making them impossible to count.  “I am asking that you stop the certification today until we can get some more audits,” she said.

“Watching you pledge allegiance to my flag was disgusting, the way that you’ve sold us out,” said resident David Clements.

“Instead of praising the people that were running the election, you need to fire them for incompetence, because this whole thing was a sham,” said resident Randy Miller, who also criticized the two-minute limit per speaker, along with multiple other attendees.

“You are violating the Constitution. You are violating our rights by saying you can only petition the government for two minutes. Where’s your authority to do that? Who died and made you King?” Miller said.

Numerous other Maricopa county residents voiced their disgust with the election, and the Board for certifying it.

Gates eventually acknowledged the Election Day printer malfunctions and indicated the board will conduct an “even deeper dive” to fix the problem moving forward.

“Let me be abundantly clear: There has never been a perfect election, and this was not a perfect election,” he said. “There were issues, but we were transparent about that.”

In Cochise County, a rural jurisdiction in Arizona’s southeastern corner, the Board of Supervisors voted against certification on Monday. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ office promised to sue the county by 5 p.m. local time.

In Mohave County, a GOP-controlled county in the northwestern corner of the state, unanimously voted to certify on Monday afternoon, but two Republicans  indicated they were certifying “under duress,” noting the legal implications if they missed the statutory deadline.

In an update to her supporters Monday afternoon, Kari Lake said she was still in the fight.

“Arizona, America, if we do not stand up and speak up right now about the most dishonest election in the history of Arizona, I truly fear for our future,” she declared.

“I’m working with a team of patriotic, talented lawyers on a legal case to challenge the botched election,” Lake continued. “The multiple conflicts of interest, the incompetence, the maladministration, the ignorance, and the disrespect of voters is off the charts with those managing and operating our election, she charged. The former anchorwoman stressed that her case is moving forward with the certifications, and that nothing will stop her from reforming elections in Arizona and in America.

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About Debra Heine

Debra Heine is a conservative Catholic mom of six and longtime political pundit. She has written for several conservative news websites over the years, including Breitbart and PJ Media.

Photo: PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 02: Bill Gates, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman, speaks at a press conference on the midterm elections on November 02, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Maricopa officials spoke about election security, mail-in ballot returns and election day operations. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)