Arizona Republicans renew lease to continue ballot audit

Canvass of 2.1 million Maricopa County votes moving slowly

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Republicans for the Arizona state Senate have renewed their lease so they can continue their slow-moving audit of Maricopa County ballots.

The Senate and it's contractors have a lease on Veteran's Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, but it expires Friday. The arena is booked for high school graduations through next week. The Senate regains access to the space again on May 23, and will be able to use it through the end of June.

Ballots, computers and other equipment will be stored elsewhere at the state fairgrounds during the hiatus. No details yet on what security precautions will be put in place while it's in storage.

Contractor "Cyber Ninjas" began the audit in late April. So far it's only managed to recount a fraction of the 2.1 million ballots.

Republicans called for the recount based on debunked claims that there were problems with the tabulation of votes cast in Arizona's most populous county. It will not impact the outcome of the election.