Judge Dismisses Case Against 15 Alleged 'Fake Electors' In 2020 Election

A Michigan judge has dismissed the case against 15 individuals accused of being "fake electors" for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Judge Kristen Simmons announced her decision on Tuesday (September 9), citing insufficient evidence to prove the defendants acted with criminal intent.

The case, initiated in 2023 by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, charged 16 Republicans with forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. One individual later cooperated with the prosecution, resulting in dropped charges against them. The charges were related to a meeting on December 14, 2020, where the group allegedly met covertly and signed certificates falsely claiming they were the state's duly elected electors to reelect President Trump.

During the hearing, Judge Simmons stated, "This is a fraud case, and we have to prove intent, and I don't believe that there's sufficient evidence to prove intent." She further explained that the defendants were exercising their constitutional right to seek redress and that the prosecution failed to establish any intent to defraud. "This is not an election interference case," she emphasized, adding that the defendants did not demonstrate the sophistication required to understand the electoral process fully.

The decision means that the cases will not proceed to the circuit court, and each case has been dismissed. This ruling marks the end of legal proceedings against these individuals concerning their actions during the 2020 election.