Opinion | Michigan's fake electors may walk free — but voters deserve better

In September, a Michigan judge dismissed criminal charges against 15 people who signed paperwork in 2020 falsely claiming to be our state’s presidential electors as they attempted to claim that President Trump had won the state, even though he hadn’t. Despite evidence showing that the fake electors’ efforts were part of a broader pressure campaign from the Trump administration to overturn election results in a handful of states, including Michigan, the judge ruled that prosecutors hadn’t proven the group intended to commit fraud. This means that the case won’t go to trial.

Daniel Rivera is Michigan senior campaign manager for All Voting Is Local. (Courtesy photo)

On the surface, this might sound like the end of the story, but it isn’t. In fact, it’s part of a disturbing national trend. Although the Michigan case was dismissed, efforts to hold those responsible accountable for these actions are in limbo in courts across the country. Here in Michigan, the facts remain clear: the fake electors signed false documents that ignored the will of voters and claimed a result their candidate didn’t earn. And today, they face no legal consequences.

That should concern anyone who believes in fair elections and the basic idea that voters, not political elites, decide outcomes.

Michigan is no stranger to close elections. Every vote here matters. That’s why the fake elector scheme is so serious: it wasn’t just paperwork; it was an attempt to erase the voices of over 150,000 Michiganders. If we allow these actions to pass without accountability, we open the door for similar attempts in future elections, which is concerning with the 2026 election right around the corner.

President Trump and his administration have made clear that they will go to extraordinary lengths to undermine free and fair elections in this country if given the opportunity. And the lack of accountability for these fake electors across several states only serves as a green light for future attempts at election sabotage by them or other election deniers.

However, accountability doesn’t just happen in courtrooms. It also happens in communities. It happens when everyday people pay attention, ask questions, and demand transparency from those in power. It happens when we protect voters from misinformation and make sure the process is accessible and secure for everyone. Despite this disappointing ruling, organizations and coalitions across the state are working to educate voters, monitor election security, and ensure that every Michigander’s voice is counted. These efforts are crucial in building public trust and resilience in our democratic system.

Young people in particular understand what’s at stake. We’ve grown up in a time when trust in institutions feels fragile, and when disinformation spreads faster than facts. Seeing a case like this dismissed only reinforces how much work there is to do to keep our democracy strong. But instead of walking away, we need to step up.

The blueprint for undermining elections is now public, and voters and voting rights groups are already gearing up for 2026, determined to protect the will of the people to ensure free and fair elections – for everyone.

Here in Michigan, we’ve seen it firsthand. The question moving forward isn’t whether there will be attempts to disrupt our elections; it’s how we respond. For Michigan’s voters, the answer should be clear: no one gets to silence our voices. We deserve a democracy that is transparent, accountable, and resilient enough to withstand those who try to bend it for their own gain.

Opinion | Michigan’s fake electors may walk free — but voters deserve better

Related

We use cookies to measure our website traffic.