LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Following the recent felony charges brought against 16 Michigan residents by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, members of the legislature and elected officials have weighed in on the importance of the lawsuit.  

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“The false electors’ actions undermined the public’s faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan,” Nessel said in a statement. “My department has prosecuted numerous cases of election law violations throughout my tenure, and it would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organized effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election.”

Each of the defendants has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, a 14-year felony; two counts of Forgery, a 14-year felony; one count of Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony; one count of Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony;  one count of Conspiracy to Commit Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony; and Two counts of Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony following their roles in the alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 Presidential Election. 

Listed amongst the 16 people charged are Trump supporters, a Michigan Republican National Committee woman, the mayor of the City of Wyoming, the grassroots vice chairwoman of the Michigan GOP and Meshawn Maddock, the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

Several Democrat Members of the Legislature have affirmed AG Nessel’s pursuit of justice. 

“When the former Republican president is spreading lies and misinformation, it’s shameful but not surprising that individuals would feel emboldened to attempt to seize power and install a president of their choosing.” Representative Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) said in an email to Michigan News Source. “I applaud the attorney general for pursuing justice against the fake electors who knowingly violated our laws with the goal of undermining our democratic system and the clear will of the American people.”  

Similarly, Representative Kara Hope (D-Holt), shared her support for the lawsuit. 

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“Anyone who attempts to circumvent our elections to seize power must be held accountable,” state Rep. Hope said in an email to Michigan News Source. “The attorney general’s allegations — that these individuals knowingly and intentionally attempted to defraud the people of Michigan of our say in our elections — are deeply disturbing. Actions like these merit prosecution, and I strongly support our attorney general’s efforts to defend our democracy.”

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has also made a statement affirming the lawsuit. 

“I was pleased to learn of the felony charges filed today against 16 individuals who allegedly sought to disenfranchise Michigan voters and disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election by submitting fake electoral votes,” she added, “My office looks forward to fully cooperating with any subsequent legal efforts to bring those who violated the law to justice.” 

Michigan House of Representatives Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) also  conveyed the severity of the charges. 

“The charges brought by Attorney General Nessel are serious. She bears the burden of proving them in a court of law and demonstrating that they are not politically motivated,” he said. 

 “But my focus is on the Legislature. The integrity of our elections is being eroded by bad policy signed by the governor — just today — that opens the door to fraud by weakening ballot security and encourages bad actors to meddle in our elections. Republicans, independents, and Democrats should all have confidence in the security of our elections. The partisan bills signed by the governor today don’t do that, and are a significant step backward for our great state.”

One individual, Terry Lynn Land, was formerly listed as an elector, but did not appear on the list of charged individuals.  Michigan News Source reached out for comment, but Land did not respond in time of press.