Breaking: Michigan judge dismisses felony charges against 2020 electors
News | By Easton Martin | September 9, 2025
In a decisive and welcome ruling on September 9, 2025, Michigan District Court Judge Kristen D. Simmons dismissed felony charges against 15 Republicans who were accused of acting as “fake electors” in the contested 2020 presidential election. Judge Simmons emphasized that the prosecution failed to prove criminal intent, a necessary element in any fraud case, asserting instead that the defendants “seriously believed” the election was flawed and were exercising their constitutional right to seek redress.
For conservatives, this outcome underscores a vital protection for free speech and political action even amid heated disputes. The judgment reaffirms that bold but sincere political advocacy cannot and should not be criminalized when there is no evidence of deceit.
Given the ferocity of the charges, with each defendant facing up to 14 years in prison on counts of forgery and conspiracy, this dismissal offers a much-needed check on prosecutorial overreach. Republican leaders and supporters celebrated outside the courtroom, calling the indictment politically motivated and praising the judge’s impartial ruling.
As similar “fake elector” cases in other battleground states continue to linger, the Michigan decision serves as a potentially precedent-setting victory in preserving democratic debate and lawful dissent. It is a reminder that political differences should be settled in the arena of ideas and elections, not in courtrooms that threaten ordinary citizens with prison time for participating in the political process.
