Friday in his closing argument in Kari Lake’s election challenge case, attorney Kurt Olsen argued that at least 70,000 mail-in ballots were not properly verified in accordance with Arizona law, and therefore the election must be voided.
The race between Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November was determined by 17,117 votes. However, out of 2.59 million ballots, this represents a 0.67 percent difference between the two candidates,” he explained.
“The number of ballots at issue whether the court were to set aside for illegality, the 70,000, the 274,000 in a proportional manner … this election should be set aside,” Olsen added.
“Your Honor, the election was unlawful,” Olsen told the judge. “[Arizona statute] 16-550 was not complied with. Defendants don’t dispute our expert. They don’t dispute the evidence,” the attorney said.
Attorney Olsen: "@KariLake & @katiehobbs was decided by 17,117. That is out of 2.59 million votes, a difference of .6%. The number of ballots at issue whether the court were to set aside for illegality, the 70,000, the 274,000…
Your honor, the election was unlawful." pic.twitter.com/iHUoQDDqjF
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) May 19, 2023
The statute at issue stipulates that election officials “shall compare the signatures thereon with the signature of the elector on the elector’s registration record.” If the signature on the ballot envelope does not match the signature on file, the county must contact the voter to validate their identity.
Olsen argued, based on an examination of the ballot reviewer user records, that the required comparison was not conducted.
“Approximately 274,000 ballots out of 1.3 million cast were compared and signature verified, purportedly, in less than 3 seconds a ballot. Seventy thousand in less than 2 seconds a ballot,” he said. “That’s not signature comparison in accordance with 16 ARS 550.”
Kurt Olsen: “Approximately 274,000 ballots out of 1.3 million cast were compared and signature verified purportedly in less than 3 seconds a ballot. 70,000 in less than 2 seconds a ballot.”
This rate does not meet the signature verification standards set by Arizona law. pic.twitter.com/QFQigDK0Ys
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) May 19, 2023
Lake signature authentication authority Erich Speckin testified Thursday at trial that Maricopa mail-in ballot examiners compared signatures on envelopes to those on file with the county in less than two seconds approximately 70,000 times.
According to Speckin, seven of these evaluators awarded a perfect score.
“What is your expert opinion as to the physical ability to compare a signature for consistency in less than 3 seconds?” Olsen asked Speckin.
“I don’t believe it can be done,” Speckin said.
Attorney Kurt Olsen: "What is your expert opinion as to the physical ability to compare a signature for consistency in less than 3 seconds?"
Expert Witness: "I don't believe it can be done."
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) May 18, 2023
Monday, Lake’s legal team released video footage of two Maricopa County evaluators sitting next to one another while, presumably, verifying signatures on mail-in ballots.
The screener waited for the ballot image to display and appeared to examine it before proceeding to the next ballot.
More on this story via The Western Journal:
However, on the left side of the video, it was a different story, with the man approving the ballots almost as fast as they loaded. CONTINUE READING…
