The pair were among several pro-Trump activists who signed certificates claiming to be duly elected and qualified electors from Trump and Arizona.

The investigation stems from a notarized document sent to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., in December 2020, by a group of 11 Arizona Republicans who claimed to represent the "sovereign citizens of the Great State of Arizona" casting votes for a second term for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

"This is an investigation based on allegations that our clients engaged in core First Amendment-protected activity, specifically, petitioning Congress for redress of grievances," said Alexander Kolodin, an attorney for the Wards.

The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol previously subpoenaed the Wards' phone records.

Kelli Ward was also subpoenaed for testimony and documents by the House Select Committee in February.

A CNN report said two others involved in the effort, Nancy Cottle and Loraine Pellegrino, who signed the false elector document as chair and secretary, also received subpoenas.