PHX Reporter

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has ruled that subpoenas that were issued by the Arizona State Senate are valid and that the legislature has the power to investigate election reform matters.

“The Court finds that the subpoenas are legal and enforceable,” Judge Timothy Thomason said in his ruling. “There is no question that the Senators have the power to issue legislative subpoenas. The subpoenas comply with the statutory requirements for legislative subpoenas. The Senate also has broad constitutional power to oversee elections.”

Thomason ruled that the subpoenas do not violate the separation of powers principles

“The Arizona legislature clearly has the power to investigate and examine election reform matters,” the court document states. “Accordingly, the Senators have the power to subpoena material as part of an inquiry into election reform measures. As such, the Subpoenas have a proper legislative purpose.”

Thomason said in the ruling that the production of subpoenaed materials would not violate any confidentiality laws.

“The County’s Motion for Summary Judgment is denied,” Thomason wrote. “The Senators’ Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is granted, to the extent consistent with this Order. The Democrat Senators’ Motion for Summary Judgment is granted in part and denied in part, consistent with this Order.”

State Senate President Karen Fann (R-Prescott)  praised the ruling, saying that it was never about overturning the election, but about election integrity.

“This was always about voter integrity and the integrity of the voting system itself,” Fann said, ZeroHedge reported.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairman Bill Gates told the news media the board has nothing to hide and that officials have already conducted three audits, including two forensic audits, by independent agencies.

“I trust the Senate will be completely transparent with the public as Maricopa County has been,” Gates said, the news media reported. “From the beginning, the County sought clarification from the court. The court has ruled. I look forward to working with the Senate to provide them the information they are requesting.”