Fontes Responds to Efforts to Relitigate the 2020 Election and Remains Focused on Protecting Voter Data

PHOENIX - Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes released the following statement regarding the news that the Arizona State Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Warren Petersen, turned over 2020 data from the failed Senate "cyber ninja audit." Our office remains steadfast in our work to protect Arizonans' sensitive private information:

"Recent efforts to relitigate the 2020 election are founded on conspiracy theories and raise serious concerns. First, the lack of transparency and clear chain of custody in these efforts calls into question the reliability of any potential findings. Second, continuing to relitigate past elections distracts from the urgent work needed to prepare for and secure upcoming elections, including those in 2026. Finally, prolonged disputes and conflicting claims risk creating unnecessary chaos and undermining public confidence in our election system.

Voters deserve elections that are orderly, accessible, and trustworthy. By concentrating on practical improvements—rather than revisiting past grievances—we can help prevent confusion, reduce long lines at polling places on Election Day, and ensure our elections continue to serve every voter effectively. At this time, my office is working to identify legal options to secure personal voter information in the 2020 data that was shared. We view this latest action as a move by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to undermine the legal process.

Our focus should be on strengthening the systems that voters rely on today and protecting sensitive voter data. That means strengthening the administration of mail voting, ensuring clear and transparent procedures, and investing in election infrastructure so that voters can cast their ballots efficiently and securely."