Court Of Appeals Declines Kris Mayes' Appeal in 2020 Electors Case

The Arizona Court of Appeals has declined to consider Attorney General Kris Mayes' petition regarding the prosecution of individuals involved in the 2020 alternate elector case, prompting renewed calls from state Republicans for the Attorney General to drop the matter.

The court's refusal to accept jurisdiction means the case must proceed through the grand jury process again.

Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda criticized the Attorney General's continued pursuit of the case, calling for a shift in prosecutorial priorities.

"Arizona families deserve an Attorney General who prosecutes criminals, not political opponents," said Gina Swoboda. "Five years later, Kris Mayes is still fixated on 2020 while violent crime, fentanyl trafficking, and border chaos threaten our communities every single day. This obsession is not justice – it's politics."

Swoboda added that the party would continue advocating for what it considers a fair application of justice.

"The people of Arizona are tired of distractions," Swoboda continued. "They want safer streets, secure borders, and an Attorney General focused on the real challenges facing our state. It's time for Kris Mayes to move on and put Arizona first."

The Republican Party of Arizona also addressed the court decision on social media, stating that "the Court of Appeals just shut down [Kris Mayes] latest attempt to revive her 2020 witch hunt. Arizonans deserve an AG who prosecutes criminals, not political opponents. It's time to drop these cases and focus on today's crime."

Background

The prosecution has faced multiple legal challenges since its inception. The case centers on whether the individuals involved in submitting alternate electoral votes violated state law in their efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

In April 2024, 18 people were charged with trying to change Arizona's 2020 election results after former President Joe Biden won by about 10,000 votes.

However, in May, a judge said prosecutors made a mistake. They failed to present the grand jury with all the federal election laws before bringing charges. The judge said prosecutors have to start over with a new grand jury if they want to continue the case.

Republicans have referenced similar cases in other states, noting that some prosecutions have been dropped. 

With the Court of Appeals declining, the case returns to the lower court process. The Attorney General's office must now determine how to proceed with the grand jury requirement, while facing continued political pressure to abandon the prosecution entirely.