September 9, 2025
Michigan judge dismisses charges against 15 accused 2020 'fake electors'
Michigan judge dismisses fake elector charges as intent unproven
🤝Civic Action🗳️Elections⚖️Justice
Judge Kristen D. Simmons of Ingham County District Court dismissed charges against 15 defendants on Sept. 9, 2025, saying the state failed to prove criminal intent.
The defendants met on Dec. 14, 2020, at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters and signed alternate certificates claiming to be Michigan's electors.
One originally indicted participant, James Renner, had charges dropped in Oct. 2023 after a cooperation deal and testified for prosecutors.
The indictments included eight counts per defendant, with forgery counts carrying up to 14 years in prison and certain election-law counts carrying lower maximum sentences.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the dismissal "very wrong" and said her office is "evaluating" an appeal.
Related cases in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia have faced separate procedural setbacks, but each state still has active or potentially refileable proceedings.
🤝Civic Action🗳️Elections⚖️Justice
Test Your Knowledge
6
Q1
Judge Kristen D. Simmons, who dismissed charges against Trump fake electors in Michigan, was appointed by a Republican governor.
Q2
James Renner, the cooperating witness in Michigan’s false electors prosecution, testified that there was intent to defraud election officials?
Q3
After Judge Kristen D. Simmons dismissed criminal charges against 15 Michigan Republicans in the false electors case on September 9, 2025, what term did former Michigan GOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock use to describe Attorney General Dana Nessel?
Q4
Before District Court Judge Kristen D. Simmons dismissed all charges on September 9, 2025, under Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s July 18, 2023 indictment, how many years in prison could each of the charged fake electors have faced for the top felony counts?
Q5
During the September 9, 2025 preliminary hearing, what did District Court Judge Kristen D. Simmons identify as undermining the prosecution’s ability to prove criminal intent against the 15 Michigan fake electors?
1 more question available
Upgrade to Premium to access all practice questions and unlock advanced quiz features.
Upgrade to PremiumThese questions are part of the Michigan judge dismisses charges against 15 accused 2020 'fake electors' topic. Master this topic by completing the quiz or exploring each question in detail.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take the full quiz to master this topic and track your progress.
Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Kristen D. Simmons
Ingham County District Court judge
Dana Nessel
Michigan Attorney General
Meshawn Maddock
Former Michigan GOP chair and defendant
Kathy Berden
Former RNC member and defendant
James Renner
Cooperating witness