The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s decision in a major blow to Democratic state Attorney General Kris Mayes’ efforts to prosecute allies of President Donald J. Trump.
In a ruling that denied an appeal from the attorney general, the state’s highest court found critical procedural defects in the original grand jury proceedings for what is known as the “fake elector” case. The case targeted several prominent figures close to President Trump, including former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and former chief of staff Mark Meadows, who were accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The defense argued that the Electoral Count Act—a law governing the certification of presidential contests—allows for alternate electors in cases where an election outcome is disputed. A Phoenix federal judge had previously ruled that the grand jury was not properly informed about this law, making it impossible to make a sound decision on the case. The Arizona Supreme Court agreed with that ruling, stating there were significant procedural issues.
This decision follows similar rulings in Georgia and Michigan, though comparable cases continue in Nevada and Wisconsin. The ruling marks the first substantive update for the Arizona “fake elector” case since May, representing a setback for Attorney General Mayes, who now plans to present the case again before a new grand jury.
The state of Arizona was won by Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election by just 10,457 votes, making it a key battleground in post-election disputes. Despite the court’s decision, Mayes has vowed to continue pursuing the prosecution, underscoring Democrats’ determination to use legal mechanisms against the President and his allies years after the election.
The investigation, launched by Mayes, seeks to indict so-called “fake electors”—individuals who believe President Trump won Arizona in 2020.
