Arizona Officially Certifies 2024 Election Results, Fontes Declares Election Denial ‘Defunct’

Arizona has officially certified the results of the 2024 General Election as of Monday morning. This milestone follows the successful certification of election outcomes at the county level last week, which enabled the commencement of recount processes for certain races.

Unlike the turbulence experienced during the 2020 and 2022 elections, this year’s canvass proceeded without significant disruptions. The smooth certification prompted voices within the state to declare a potential end to election denialism. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes expressed confidence, stating, “I think the age of election denialism, for all intents and purposes, is dead.”

Many of the claims of widespread election fraud that were once prevalent, particularly those promoted by President-elect Donald Trump, have notably dissipated following his recent win. Trump and his associates had long perpetuated unfounded allegations of fraud over the past four years, fostering a culture around these assertions.

However, not everyone agrees with Fontes. The Attorney General’s Office voiced skepticism, with officials highlighting that challenges to elections, such as the one raised by Republican Abe Hamadeh after his narrow 2022 defeat, are still persistent. Attorney General Kris Mayes remarked, “Obviously we are all aiming toward a return to normalcy…but I am not convinced we are there yet.”

With the certification of the election results complete, legal challenges can now commence. Fontes’ office is preparing to file court orders for races across the state that require automatic recounts due to their close margins. Furthermore, a five-day window is now open for candidates to file lawsuits disputing the election outcomes.

Previous legal challenges by candidates like Hamadeh, and former Fox10 anchor Kari Lake, were dismissed due to a lack of substantial evidence to overturn the results. Governor Katie Hobbs reflected on the contrast to past certification processes, recalling the climate of conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.

Both Hobbs and Mayes expressed hopes for a “return to normalcy,” envisioning a future where certification processes are regarded as routine rather than contentious. Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Timmer acknowledged the high-stakes atmosphere surrounding this election season, which has been marked by numerous legal challenges related to ballot initiatives.

Voter turnout for this election cycle reached approximately 78.4%, as reported by Fontes. Hobbs emphasized the integrity of the election process, stating, “Everyone needs to take an example from this election that whether you agree with the results or not, our elections are conducted in a secure and transparent manner.”