Arizona’s top judge: Courts must prioritize post-election disputes
Arizona’s top state judge on Tuesday ordered trial courts to prioritize election cases as anticipation swirls about a blitz of lawsuits in the swing state following November’s presidential contest.
In a two-page administrative order, Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Timmer reminded superior court judges of statutory requirements to handle recounts and other election disputes quickly.
“Giving priority to adjudicating an election contest may necessitate the delay of other court proceedings,” Timmer wrote.
The justice ordered Arizona’s trial courts to enter an appealable judgment by Dec. 6 if the case “concerns presidential electors” and to “give priority” to election cases generally.
Timmer noted that the acceleration takes on “heightened importance” this year because of the presidential contest.
The order comes as election lawsuits are already bubbling up in the state in advance of November’s presidential election, which polling indicates could be decided by razor-tight margins in Arizona and other swing states.
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Arizona became an epicenter of baseless mass voter fraud accusations in both 2020, when former President Trump narrowly lost the state to President Biden, and two years later when Republican Kari Lake contested her loss in Arizona’s gubernatorial race.
This election cycle, much of the litigation in Arizona has focused on an estimated 218,000 voters improperly recorded as having provided proof of citizenship. The state’s top court ruled that those voters can still cast a ballot in all races. Republicans have broadly looked to crackdown on claims of non-citizens voting, though there is no evidence of widespread fraud.
Republicans have also challenged to new rules implemented in Arizona’s 2023 Elections Procedures Manual.
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