The Return of Fake Electors: A Troubling Trend in American Politics

In a striking development as the 2024 presidential election approaches, fourteen individuals who previously participated in the controversial scheme to undermine the 2020 election results have been renominated as electors for Donald Trump. This decision, made with input from the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the implications for democracy in the United States.

The Context of the 2020 Election

In the wake of the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won by a substantial margin, several Republican state parties in key battleground states engaged in a dubious strategy. They sent fake electoral certificates to Congress, falsely claiming that Trump had won in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Nevada. This effort was part of a broader attempt to challenge the legitimacy of the election results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

As the 2024 election looms, the same individuals who signed these fraudulent certificates are once again being positioned as electors. This includes prominent figures such as the Nevada Republican Party chairman and the Republican National Committeeman from Pennsylvania, many of whom currently face criminal charges related to their actions in 2020.

The States Involved

Michigan

The Michigan Republican Party has renominated six of the fake electors from 2020, including former party co-chair Meshawn Maddock. Trump lost Michigan by approximately 154,000 votes in 2020, yet these individuals are poised to play a role in the upcoming election. All six face criminal charges, although their trials have yet to be scheduled.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, five former fake electors have been renominated. Notably, these electors insisted that their signatures on the fake certificates would only be valid if the courts ruled in Trump’s favor. As a result, they have not faced criminal charges, a distinction that highlights the varying legal repercussions for those involved in the scheme across different states.

Nevada

The Nevada Republican Party has renominated Michael McDonald and Jesse Law, both of whom signed the 2020 certificate despite Trump losing the state by over 30,000 votes. Their involvement in the scheme has led to legal challenges, with the state appealing a lower court’s decision that dismissed the case against them.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, the situation is somewhat unique. The state has consistently voted Democratic in recent elections, and the role of its electors in the 2020 scheme was always considered an outlier. Similar to Pennsylvania, the New Mexico electors did not face charges due to their insistence on legal protections regarding their signatures.

Legal Ramifications and Future Implications

The return of these fake electors raises critical questions about accountability and the rule of law. Legal experts, including Rick Hasen from UCLA, express concern over the implications for democracy. The idea that individuals who may have engaged in criminal conduct are still active in politics is troubling, as it undermines public trust in the electoral process.

Moreover, the legal landscape has shifted since 2020. The passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act in 2022 introduced stricter rules regarding the counting of electoral votes, making it significantly more challenging for any future attempts at subverting election results to succeed. This legislation aims to prevent the kind of chaos witnessed in 2020, ensuring that only legitimate electoral certificates are counted.

The Broader Impact on Democracy

The actions of these fake electors and the ongoing support for Trump among certain factions of the Republican Party highlight a concerning trend in American politics. The willingness to engage in deceptive practices to achieve political ends poses a threat to the democratic process. As Jonathan Diaz from the Campaign Legal Center notes, the changes in electoral law are designed to close loopholes that allowed such schemes to flourish in the past.

The upcoming election will serve as a critical test for the resilience of American democracy. Voters must remain vigilant and informed, recognizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process. The actions of the past should serve as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the fragility of democratic institutions and the need for accountability.

Conclusion

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the re-nomination of fake electors from 2020 underscores the ongoing challenges facing American democracy. The implications of these actions extend beyond individual states, raising fundamental questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the accountability of those who seek to undermine it. With legal reforms in place and a heightened awareness of the potential for electoral manipulation, the hope is that the lessons learned from the past will guide a more transparent and fair electoral process in the future.