In a significant development, a state grand jury in Arizona has indicted several individuals, dubbed "fake electors," who supported former President Donald Trump in his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The indictments come after an extensive investigation into their alleged scheme to nullify Joe Biden's victory in the state.

The incident took place a month after the 2020 election when 11 Trump supporters gathered at the Arizona GOP's headquarters in Phoenix. They proceeded to sign a certificate claiming to be Arizona's 11 electors to the Electoral College, despite Biden winning the state by 10,457 votes. State officials had already certified Biden's electors. The signing of the certificate was documented by the state Republican Party in a social media post and sent to Congress and the National Archives.

Among those charged is Kelli Ward, who served as the chair of the Arizona GOP during the 2020 election and its aftermath. Ward, known for promoting false claims of election fraud in Arizona, tweeted on January 6, 2021, following the attack on the U.S. Capitol, advocating for sending the election outcome back to the legislatures. Other individuals charged include state legislators Anthony Kern and Jake Hoffman, Michael Ward (Kelli Ward's husband), Tyler Bowyer (Republican National Committee's Arizona committeeman and Turning Point USA's COO), Greg Safsten (former Arizona GOP executive director), former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Lamon, Robert Montgomery (former head of the Cochise County GOP), and Republican Party activists Samuel Moorhead, Nancy Cottle, and Loraine Pellegrino.

Interestingly, the indictment lists former President Donald Trump as "Unindicted Coconspirator 1." Several others who have been charged in the case but have not yet been served have redacted names in the document.

Leading the investigation was Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat who took office after winning the November 2022 election. Mayes replaced Mark Brnovich, a former ally of Trump who faced his ire for not substantiating the former president's claims of election fraud in the state. Mayes emphasized the thoroughness and professionalism of the 13-month-long investigation and stated that she would not allow American democracy to be undermined.

These charges in Arizona are the latest in a series of legal cases connected to Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election as he seeks to retake the presidency in the 2024 election. Similar charges have already been filed against "alternate electors" in Nevada, Georgia, and Michigan by prosecutors in their respective states.

The alleged scheme in Arizona, which involved the submission of illegitimate certifications, placed pressure on Maricopa County officials and other Arizona Republicans, including then-state House Speaker Rusty Bowers and then-Governor Doug Ducey. Notably, Trump placed a phone call to Governor Ducey during the certification process, which Ducey muted.

Mayes' tenure as Arizona attorney general has been marked by other election-related cases stemming from Trump's baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 election and the subsequent aftermath. Last fall, she charged two local officials in Cochise County who delayed the certification of midterm election results in 2022. The officials eventually certified the results only after a court order.

As these legal battles continue to unfold, they highlight the enduring effects of Trump's allegations and the consequential impact on the integrity of the electoral process.