Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, has launched an investigation into a group of 11 Republicans who claimed to be the legitimate electors of the state's electoral votes during the 2020 presidential election. If action is taken against them, Arizona could become the fourth state to file criminal charges against these so-called "fake electors" who pledged their support to former President Donald Trump despite Joe Biden winning the state.

The incident took place on December 14, 2020, when the group convened at the state Republican Party headquarters in Phoenix to sign documents they claimed represented Arizona's electoral votes. In a video shared online by the Republican Party of Arizona, one of the alleged fake electors announced 11 votes for President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes recently stated that her office will announce something related to the investigation in the near future. The probe seems to be focused on the 11 individuals who participated in the signing of the fraudulent documents.

If charges are brought against the group, Arizona will join Nevada, Michigan, and Georgia as states that have taken legal action against individuals involved in declaring fraudulent electoral votes in the 2020 election. In Nevada, six alleged fake electors faced felony charges. Michigan's Attorney General brought charges against 16 "alternate electors," while in Georgia, three fake electors were among the 18 co-defendants charged in a racketeering indictment related to attempts to overturn election results.

The defendants in all three states have maintained their innocence, though some have accepted plea deals in exchange for their cooperation or testimony in ongoing cases. Subpoenas have been issued, and voluntary interviews were conducted as part of the Arizona investigation.

Notably, during their fraudulent actions, the 11 Arizona Republicans also sought to challenge the election results based on allegations of voter fraud. However, their case was dismissed by a judge who found a lack of substantial evidence to support their claims.

Former President Trump and his allies were reportedly pressuring Arizona election officials at the time. Sources have revealed that Trump attempted to convince then-Governor Doug Ducey and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the state's election results. Trump also contacted Rusty Bowers, the former Arizona House speaker, seeking unlawful appointment of presidential electors.

Mayes' investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether it extends beyond the 11 alleged fake electors. The attorney general has not provided further details about the scope or potential outcomes of the probe.

As legal proceedings continue, these cases highlight the importance of ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and holding accountable those who attempt to undermine it.