Courtney Pedroza, Arizona Auditor/Getty ImagesMaricopa County in Arizona announced Monday that it will be replacing all voting equipment given to contractors as part of an election audit ordered by Arizona's Republican-controlled Senate. Maricopa County stated in a statement that it will not use equipment that could compromise free and fair elections. "The county will therefore not use subpoenaed material in future elections," Maricopa County stated.Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors wrote Monday to Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs that it shared her concerns about possible tampering from the GOP-hired Florida auditor contractors, Cyber Ninjas. The company is not certified to handle U.S. election equipment. The chain of custody was broken when the state Senate subpoenaed machines. This forced the county to hand over approximately 400 tabulating machines as well as 2.1 million ballots. Election experts have widely criticised Cyber Ninja's inspection of the ballots as inept and lacking transparency and basic security.The GOP-led Maricopa County government attacked the "audit", in a passionate letter to the state Senate. The five Republicans and two Democrats said that "our state has become a laughingstock". Worse, this audit encourages citizens to distrust elections which weakens the democratic republic.A Maricopa County spokesperson said that the county doesn't know who will pay for the new equipment. The Senate took the ballots and voting equipment and agreed to pay the county any costs that were incurred as a result. The county may ask the Senate for reimbursement of the cost of the new equipment. Dominion Voting Systems is also being contacted to discuss whether the Senate should pay the $3 million remaining under its three-year lease.Continue the storyCyber Ninjas is being scrutinized for its lack of experience in auditing and deeply flawed efforts in Maricopa County. However, critics point out that Doug Logan, its CEO, has supported former President Donald Trump's false claims regarding the election being rigged. Trump supporters and QAnon conspirators debuted The Deep Rig on Saturday in Phoenix. The film was funded by Patrick Byrne, former Overstock CEO, and based upon debunked 2020 election fraud allegations. Halfway through, Logan is revealed as the voice of Anon.You might also like7 hilarious cartoons that mock the Democratic Joe Manchin problemAccording to a poll, men are losing close friends at an alarming rate.Bernie Sanders wants to find out if a cannabis reporter is stoned right now
