Established Fact
[Established Fact – Dismissal] A federal lawsuit alleging large-scale election fraud and seeking to decertify Arizona’s election results was dismissed for lack of legal standing. The presiding judge described the claims as “sorely wanting of relevant or reliable evidence” and noted entertaining the suit “would cause extreme and unprecedented harm” at that late date. Critically, the “lack of evidence” characterization was made in the context of a standing dismissal – prior to discovery – meaning the court assessed the sufficiency of pleadings without permitting development of the evidentiary record that plaintiffs sought. The Bost v. Illinois ruling, discussed infra, subsequently removed the principal standing barrier that barred plaintiffs in this class of cases.
Citations
Bowyer v. Ducey Dismissal Order (Doc. 84): https://archive.amarkfoundation.org/the2020election/wp-content/uploads/ElectionLawsuits/Arizona/AZ-Bower-02321-disposition.pdf | Court Filing
Unsuccessful Suit to Overturn Arizona’s 2020 Presidential Election Results: https://www.fjc.gov/sites/default/files/materials/10/EE-AZ-2-20-cv-2321-Bowyer.pdf | Federal Judicial Center
Unsuccessful Suit to Overturn Arizona’s 2020 Presidential Election Results: https://www.fjc.gov/sites/default/files/materials/10/EE-AZ-2-20-cv-2321-Bowyer.pdf | Federal Judicial Center
Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections, No. 24-568, 607 U.S. _ (Jan. 14, 2026). Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion for a 7–2 Court (5-justice majority + Barrett/Kagan concurring in judgment; Jackson/Sotomayor dissenting). The Supreme Court opinion reversed the Seventh Circuit (114 F.4th 634 (2024)), which had affirmed the N.D. Illinois dismissal for lack of standing (684 F. Supp. 3d 720 (N.D. Ill. 2023))., https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-568_gfbh.pdf