The January 6 Hearings: Michigan Spotlight 

• On May 21, 2020, at a press conference in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Trump spread misinformation about mail-in ballots, saying, “who knows who’s signing it? …[T]hey pirate these applications… You have all of the harvesting. … they walk in…at the end of a race…and then all of a sudden, out of the blue come thousands of votes at the very end.”^{1 Remarks by President Trump in Listening Session with African American Leaders. (2020, May 21). The White House. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-listening-session-african-american-leaders-ypsilanti-mi/.}
• In the days after election day—November 3, 2020—dozens of pro-Trump protestors took to the streets outside Detroit’s convention center where ballots were being counted. The protestors chanted, “Stop the steal!” and carried signs that read “Make Elections Fair Again” and “We Love Trump.”^{2 Sullivan, T., & Geller, A. (2020, November 7). Increasingly normal: Guns seen outside vote counting centers. AP. https://apnews.com/article/protests-vote-count-safety-concerns-653dc8f0787c9258524078548d518992.} Eric R. Sabree, the Wayne County treasurer, said he had closed his office after law enforcement shared that they had received “credible” threat information.^{3See note 2.}  Poll workers were harassed and threatened by unruly challengers jeering and pounding their fists on windows while the counting went on.^{4 Baldas, T., et al. (2020, November 6). ‘Get to TCF’: What really happened inside Detroit’s ballot counting center. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/11/06/tcf-center-detroit-ballot-counting/6173577002/.} Some protesters “seemed to be taking cues from Trump and others who have complained about how the count is unfolding, accusing election officials of corruption and fraud as they continue to count hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots.”^{5 Abdel-Baqui, O., et al. (2020, November 6). Protesters rally at TCF Center as Biden’s lead overtakes Trump in key states. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/11/06/protesters-rally-tcf-center-detroit-biden-ballots/6186881002/.} Trump also repeatedly made the demonstrably false claim that there were more votes cast in Detroit than people.^{6 Timm, J. (2020, November 18). Fact check: Trump’s bogus claim of more votes in Detroit than people. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fact-check-trump-s-bogus-claim-more-votes-detroit-people-n1248121 See also Kessler, G. & Rizzo, S. (2020, November 5). President Trump’s false claims of vote fraud: A chronology. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/05/president-trumps-false-claims-vote-fraud-chronology/.}
• Monica Palmer, the Republican chairwoman of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers who initially voted against certifying her county’s election results, received a phone call from Trump after the canvassing board meeting on November 17, 2020.^{7Hendrickson, C. (2020, November 19). Donald Trump called Monica Palmer after Wayne County Board of Canvassers meeting. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/11/19/trump-monica-palmer-wayne-canvassers-certification-election/3776190001/.}  William Hartmann, the other Republican member of the four-person board who also initially voted not to certify the vote, also spoke with Trump.^{8 Long, C. et al (2020, November 19). Trump, allies make frantic steps to overturn Biden victory. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/trump-allies-try-overturn-biden-victory-29da6aac9cc41e47f3095855e7af7031/.}
• On November 20, 2020, then-Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) and Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate Mike Shirkey (R-Clarkedale) went to the White House to meet with Trump at the president’s invitation.^{9 Boucher, D. (2020, November 20). Michigan Speaker Chatfield: ‘I won’t apologize’ for meeting with President Trump. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/20/lee-chatfield-trump-meeting/6358414002/.}  While the lawmakers were alleged to be discussing pandemic assistance, the meeting was subsequently followed by Trump posting unfounded claims on social media about election fraud in Michigan, which Chatfield then echoed.^{10 Boucher, D., & Hendrickson, C. (2020, November 21). Trump tweets undermine Michigan leaders; images show Chatfield drinking at Trump Hotel. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/21/michigan-gop-trump-meeting-shirkey-chatfield/6374174002/.}
• On November 25, 2020, Trump ally Sidney Powell filed a since-dismissed lawsuit in Michigan, alleging that manipulated voting machines destroyed ballots and switched votes.^{11 King et al. v. Whitmer et al., No. 2:20-cv-13134-LVP-RSW (E.D. Mich. Dec. 7, 2020), ECF No. 62.; Hendrickson, C. (2021, December 2). Judge imposes sanctions on Sidney Powell, lawyer involved in election conspiracy lawsuit. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/12/02/sidney-powell-michigan-election-conspiracy-lawsuit/8843626002/.}  The federal court later sanctioned Powell and other lawyers for bringing the lawsuit, which the court found to be factually baseless and entirely lacking in evidence. The court’s order, exceeding 100 pages, concluded that the “lawsuit represent[ed] a historic and profound abuse of judicial process.”^{12 See note 11; ‘Profound abuse’: Judge disciplines pro-Trump lawyers over election lawsuit. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-sanctions-sidney-powell-other-pro-trump-lawyers-who-claimed-voter-fraud-2021-08-25/.}
• Aaron Van Langevelde, a Republican member of the Michigan State Board of Canvassers, recounted that “some political leaders urged the Board to withhold certification [of electoral votes for then-candidate Joe Biden] based on unproven allegations of voter fraud, even though we had no legal authority to do so.”^{13 Bidgood, J. (2021, July 5). Aaron Van Langevelde’s speech about the 2020 election: ‘We were asked to take power we didn’t have,’ Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/05/nation/aaron-van-langeveldes-speech-about-2020-election-we-were-asked-take-power-we-didnt-have/.}  Van Langevelde refused, and Michigan certified its electoral votes for Biden on November 23, 2020.^{14 Grayer, A., et al. (2020, November 23). Michigan certifies Biden’s win as Trump challenges in other key states fizzle. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/23/politics/michigan-certify-election-results-monday/index.html; Egan, P. (2021, January 18). Republican Party moves to replace GOP board member who voted to certify Michigan election. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/18/gop-does-not-reappoint-vanlangevelde-board-canvassers/4207223001/.}
• Between Election Day and January 6, Michigan state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) consistently pushed lies about the 2020 election.^{15 Cohen, M., et al. (2022, January 20). Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw fake electors plot in 7 states. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/politics/trump-campaign-officials-rudy-giuliani-fake-electors/index.html.} In early December 2020, Maddock and other state lawmakers in Michigan “held a series of hearings seeking to validate unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.”^{16See note 15.}  Trump attorneys Giuliani and Jenna Ellis testified at a hearing before the Michigan House Oversight Committee on December 2, 2020 and made baseless allegations of voter fraud and urged lawmakers to take legislative action to overturn the election results.^{17 Gibbons, L. (2020, December 3). In unusual hearing, Rudy Giuliani asks Michigan lawmakers to ‘take back your power.’ MLive. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/12/in-unusual-hearing-rudy-giuliani-asks-michigan-lawmakers-to-take-back-your-power.html.}
• On December 7, 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.^{18 Liptak, A. (2020, December 11). Texas files an audacious suit with the Supreme Court challenging the election results. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/us/politics/texas-files-an-audacious-suit-with-the-supreme-court-challenging-the-election-results.html.}  The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his case later that month, and the State Bar of Texas has now pursued a complaint against Paxton, accusing him of professional misconduct relating to this litigation.^{19 Cobb, T. (2022, March 8).State Bar Complaint Against Attorney General Ken Paxton to Proceed After Key Deadline Passes. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/08/state-bar-paxton-complaint/.}
• On December 14, 2020, as detailed further in Section III, 10 Michigan Republicans convened to “cast votes” claiming to be an alternate slate of electors for Trump in Michigan, which did not reflect the decision of the state’s voters.^{20 American Oversight Obtains Seven Phony Certificates of Pro-Trump Electors. (2021, March 2). America Oversight. https://www.americanoversight.org/american-oversight-obtains-seven-phony-certificates-of-pro-trump-electors; Sherman, A. (2022, January 28). What you need to know about the fake Trump electors. PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/article/2022/jan/28/what-you-need-know-about-fake-trump-electors/.}
• Hours before Michigan’s Electoral College delegation certified the results for President Biden, state Rep. Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair) implied during a local radio interview that he and others may try to disrupt the proceedings and did not rule out violence.^{21 Boucher, D. (2020, December 14). Michigan’s Electoral College delegates cast all 16 votes for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/12/14/michigans-electoral-college-16-votes-joe-biden-kamala-harris/6538683002.}
• Eleven Republican Michigan state legislators (along with Republican legislators from Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) signed a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, dated January 5, 2021.^{22 The following Michigan state legislators signed the letter: Reps. Julie Alexander of Hanover, Ken Borton of Gaylord, Steve Carra of Three Rivers, Gary Eisen of St. Clair Township, Beth Griffin of Mattawan, Matt Maddock of Milford, Luke Meerman of Coopersville, John Reilly of Oakland Township, Daire Rendon of Lake City, Mary Whiteford of Casco Township, and Doug Wozniak of Shelby Township; Mauger, C. (2022, January 5). These Michigan lawmakers sought to delay certifying 2020 election. The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/06/these-michigan-lawmakers-sought-delay-certifying-2020-s-election/9104179002/.}  The letter urged Pence to delay the counting of electoral votes for at least 10 days and allow the state legislatures time to certify or decertify the election.^{23Letter to Vice President Michael R. Pence. (2021, Jan. 5). The Wisconsin Examiner. https://wisconsinexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Letter-to-Pence-1.pdf; Timm, C. (2021, Jan. 5). Fact check: No, Pence can’t overturn the election results. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/fact-check-no-pence-can-t-overturn-election-results-n1252869.}
• The same lies and conspiracy theories that fueled the January 6 attack contributed to threatening and violent messages aimed at election officials, including in Michigan. These threats were launched over email, voicemails, texts, letters, social media, and in-person events including gathering outside election officials’ homes. They often expressed false claims that the election was stolen.^{24 Eisler, P., et al. (2021, December 30). Anatomy of a death threat. Reuters. https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-ELECTION/THREATS/mopanwmlkva/.}

• Matthew DePerno (current Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general): DePerno is a podcaster and attorney; DePerno met with a U.S. State Department official on January 6 to discuss last-minute maneuvers to try to overturn Trump’s election loss.^{25Helderman, R. (2022, May 17). Senior Trump official at State met with election denial activists Jan. 6. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/17/senior-trump-official-state-met-with-election-denial-activists-jan-6.}
• Jason Howland (candidate for Michigan state representative): Howland co-founded the American Patriot Council, an organization that claims that its mission is to “[r]estore and sustain a constitutional government in the United States of America,”^{26 Welcome to American Patriot Council. (n.d.). American Patriot Council. https://www.americanpatriotcouncil.org/.}  and which has organized armed protests at the Michigan state capitol and elsewhere.^{27 Santistevan, R. (2020, October 23). American Patriot Council: What to know about right-wing group. Times Herald-Record. https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2020/10/23/american-patriot-council-what-know-right-wing-organization/3741250001/.} Howland entered the Capitol on January 6.^{28 Oosting, J. (2021, May 25). They were at the Capitol riot. Now, these Michigan Republicans want your vote. Bridge Michigan. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/they-were-capitol-riot-now-these-michigan-republicans-want-your-vote.}
• Audra Johnson (candidate for U.S. Congress): Johnson attended January 6 events in D.C. and was outside the Capitol.^{29See note 28.} She posted videos on social media, with statements such as “the storm is coming,” and “[y]our fellow patriots are already in combat. We’re already in war.”^{30See note 28.}
• Ryan Kelley (candidate for Michigan governor): Kelly co-founded the American Patriot Council, an organization that claims that its mission is to “[r]estore and sustain a constitutional government in the United States of America,” and which has organized armed protests at the Michigan state capitol and elsewhere.^{31Home – American Patriot Council. (n.d.).American Patriot Council.  https://www.americanpatriotcouncil.org; Santistevan, R. (2020, October 23). American Patriot Council: What to know about right-wing group. Times Herald-Record. https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2020/10/23/american-patriot-council-what-know-right-wing-organization/3741250001.}  Kelley “climbed on scaffolding, helped a man moving a police barricade and repeatedly waved fellow protesters toward” the Capitol attack on January 6.^{32See note 28.}
• Kelly was arrested on charges related to the January 6 attack on June 9, 2022.^{33 Snell, R. et al. (2022, June 9). Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley arrested on Jan. 6 riot-related charges. The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/09/ryan-kelley-michigan-republican-gop-governor-candidate-arrested/7566967001/.}
• Matt Maddock (Michigan state representative): Maddock is the spouse of state Republican Party chair Meshawn Maddock. He spoke at a pro-Trump rally in D.C. on January 5.^{34 Egan, P., & Hendrickson, C. (2021, January 7). Activist who organized buses to DC about to take Mich. GOP role. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/07/capitol-riot-meshawn-maddock-michigan-republican-cochair/6577739002.}
• Meshawn Maddock (current co-chair of Michigan Republican Party): Maddock is the spouse of state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford). She organized buses from Michigan to the January 6 rally^{37Cohen, M., et al. (2022, January 20). Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw fake electors plot in 7 states. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/politics/trump-campaign-officials-rudy-giuliani-fake-electors/index.html; Maddock, M. [@CoChairMeshawn 36 . (2021, January 1). #Michigan will be there! 12 buses and thousands of cars caravanning! [Tweet 37 . Twitter. https://twitter.com/CoChairMeshawn/status/1345151501027713024?s=20.}  that preceded the January 6 attack and she spoke at a pro-Trump rally in D.C. on January 5.
• ^{38See note 28.}
• Angela Rigas (candidate for Michigan state representative): After being exposed to tear gas outside the Capitol on January 6, Rigas said she “considered fleeing” but instead “ran right back into the tear gas” to try and “hold the line.”.^{39See note 28.}
• Jon Rocha (candidate for U.S. Congress): Rocha watched Trump speak on January 6, and then walked to the Capitol.^{40See note 28.}
• Indictments: At least 17 people with Michigan ties have been charged for their involvement in the January 6 attack and their cases are progressing through the courts: Logan Barnhart, Timothy Boughner, Trevor Brown, Jeremiah Caplinger, Karl Dresch, Michael Foy, Daniel Herendeen, Justin Jersey, Ryan D. Kelley, Matthew Thomas Krol, James Mels, John Russel Parker, Anthony Puma, Robert Schornak, Jeremy Sorvisto, Steven Thurlow, and Anthony Robert Williams.

• On December 14, 2020, groups of Republicans in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin signed documents made to look official that represented the signatories as the duly authorized or potential alternate presidential electors for Trump, rejecting the will of the voters in their states.^{41 American Oversight Obtains Seven Phony Certificates of Pro-Trump Electors. (2021, March 2). America Oversight. https://www.americanoversight.org/american-oversight-obtains-seven-phony-certificates-of-pro-trump-electors; Sherman, A. (2022, January 28). What you need to know about the fake Trump electors. PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/article/2022/jan/28/what-you-need-know-about-fake-trump-electors/.} The actions of these fake electors are the possible subject of state and federal criminal probes.^{42Feuer, A., et al. (2022, March 25). Intensifying Inquiry Into Alternate Electors Focuses on Trump Lawyers. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/us/politics/pro-trump-lawyers-elector-scheme.html; Polantz., K., & Reid, P. (2022, March 25). DOJ probe of fake elector plot seeks information about Trump’s top lawyers and advisers. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/25/politics/justice-department-fake-elector-plot-trump-lawyers-advisers/index.html; Boucher, D. (2022, January 19). Nessel: Fake GOP electors committed crimes, hopes feds prosecute ‘conspiracy.’ Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/18/nessel-gop-electors-crimes-lansing-michigan/6563387001/.}
• Sixteen Michigan Republicans falsely claimed to be Michigan’s 2020 electoral college delegation and sent their votes to Vice President Pence, the National Archivist, and the Michigan Secretary of State.^{44 Berden, K. (2020, December 14). Michigan’s Electoral Votes for President and Vice President [Memorandum 44 . Politico.  https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017e-3677-d41e-afff-fe7f35620000; Lerner, K. (2022, Feb 2). Trump’s fake electors: Here’s the full list. The Michigan Advance. https://michiganadvance.com/2022/02/04/trumps-fake-electors-heres-the-full-list/.}  They originally tried to enter the state capitol to meet but were blocked by law enforcement and subsequently convened elsewhere.^{45 Hendrickson, C., & Boucher, D. (2022, January 20). Michigan GOP co-chair says Trump campaign directed fake electors, per CNN audio. Detroit Free Press & USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/20/michigan-donald-trump-fake-electors/6601412001/.}
• The following individuals served as fake electors in Michigan:^{46 Lerner, K. (2022, February 4). Trump’s fake electors: Here’s the full list. The Michigan Advance. https://michiganadvance.com/2022/02/04/trumps-fake-electors-heres-the-full-list/; American Oversight Obtains Seven Phony Certificates of Pro-Trump Electors. (2021, March 2). American Oversight. https://www.americanoversight.org/american-oversight-obtains-seven-phony-certificates-of-pro-trump-electors.}  Kathy Berden (National Republican Committee member from Michigan); Mayra Rodriguez (Wayne County Public Administrator); Meshawn Maddock (current co-chair of Michigan Republican Party); John Haggard (Charlevoix County Republican Chair); Kent Vanderwood (District 2 Republican Party Chair &Wyoming City Council Member); Marian Sheridan (Michigan GOP Grassroots Vice Chair); James Renner (2020 Republican Delegate to County Convention from Watertown Township); Amy Facchinello (Grand Blanc Board of Education Member); Rose Rook (Van Buren County Republican Executive Committee Member); Hank Choate (Michigan Republican Party 7th District Chair); Mari-Ann Henry (Greater Oakland Republican Club Member); Clifford Frost (Michigan Republican Party State Committee Member & Macomb County Republican Party Board Member); Stanley Grot (Shelby Township Clerk and Trustee & Michigan Republican Party 10th District Chair); Timothy King (Washtenaw County Republican Party Executive Committee Member & Michigan Republican Party 12th District Committee Member); Michele Lundgren (Wayne County Republican Party Precinct Delegate); Ken Thompson.

• Michael Flynn: Flynn is a retired United States Army lieutenant general and National Security Advisor for Trump.^{47Draper, R. (2022, February 4). Michael Flynn is Still at War. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/magazine/michael-flynn-2020-election.html.}  Trump ally Flynn has hosted a “Reawaken America Tour” which stopped in Grand Rapids in August 2021.^{48 Evans, Ken. (2021, August 26). Far-Right Supporters In Grand Rapids Go Viral For Their ‘Unique’ Perspectives. Mix 95.7 West Michigan. https://mix957gr.com/far-right-supporters-in-grand-rapids-go-viral-for-their-unique-perspectives/.} The event featured Flynn, Mike Lindell, Lin Wood, Sidney Powell, “many of whom are currently under investigation for their roles in frivolous lawsuits surrounding the 2020 presidential election.”^{49See note 46.}
• Mike Lindell: The MyPillow CEO joined Flynn at “Reawaken America Tour” stops in Michigan^{50See note 46.}  and Ohio.  The Ohio event in February 2022, which included attendees from Michigan, had a scheduled lineup that included Lindell, Flynn, Trump’s “Eric Trump, political consultant Roger Stone, broadcaster Alex Jones, former Fox News reporter Lara Logan and Dr. Stella Emmanuel.”^{51Goshay, CM. (2022, February 18). ‘It’s how we’re going to take this country back.’ ReAwaken America tour hits Canton. The Repository. https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/02/18/maga-faithful-turn-out-pro-trump-reawaken-america-tour-canton/6835672001/.}
• Donald Trump: Trump held a rally at the Michigan Stars Sports Center in Washington Township in April 2022 where he stated, among other things, “We did win. We did win. And you know, if we didn’t, I’d be the first person to stand up and say we didn’t.”^{52 Bort, R. (2022, April 2). Delusional Trump Can’t Stop Lying About Election Fraud as He Teases 2024 Run at Michigan Rally. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-michigan-rally-election-fraud-lies-2024-tease-1331686/.}

The January 6 Select Committee has “issued more than 100 subpoenas to lawmakers, internet and communications companies, Trump White House officials and others” including rally and event organizers.^{53 Schonfeld, Z. (2022, June 7). Here’s a list of the people who have been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee. The Hill. https://thehill.com/news/house/3514712-heres-a-list-of-the-people-who-have-been-subpoenaed-by-the-jan-6-committee/.}  Here are some examples of the Michigan actors that have received subpoenas from the committee.

• Kathy Berden (National Republican Committee member from Michigan): Served as a fake elector and has been subpoenaed by the January 6 Select Committee.^{54 Mauger, C., & Nann, M. (2022, January 28). U.S. House Jan.6 committee subpoenas two Michigan Trump electors. The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/28/u-s-house-jan-6-committee-subpoenas-two-michigan-trump-electors/9257574002/.}

• Laura Cox (former Michigan Republican party chair): Cox has been subpoenaed by the January 6 Select Committee.^{55 Eggert, D. (2022, February 16).Former Michigan GOP Chair Cox Criticizes Jan. 6 Subpoena. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2022-02-16/former-michigan-gop-chair-cox-criticizes-jan-6-subpoena.}

• Mayra Rodriguez (Wayne County public administrator): Rodriguez served as a fake elector and has been subpoenaed by the January 6 Select Committee.^{56 See notes 44 & 52.}

• Some Republican legislators have demonstrated a willingness in the years since the 2020 election to support efforts grounded in the falsehood that President Biden’s 2020 electoral win in Michigan was illegitimate, and that voter fraud contributed to this electoral outcome. Some Michigan Republican state legislators have called for 2020 election-related “audits”^{57 Robinson, S. (2021, October 6). 3 Michigan Republicans join national call for ‘forensic audit’ of 2020 election. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/10/3-michigan-republicans-join-national-call-for-forensic-audit-of-2020-election.html.} and groups denying the 2020 election results have pushed for a ballot measure to decertify those results.^{58 Yu, Y. (2022, April 22). Ballot measure to decertify Michigan 2020 election decried as ‘silly.’ Bridge Michigan. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/ballot-measure-decertify-michigan-2020-election-decried-silly.}
• The Barry County sheriff Dar Leaf has launched what he purports to be a 2020 election fraud investigation, which has resulted in both Michigan State Police and the attorney general probing his efforts.^{59 Mauger, C., & LeBlanc, B. (2022, June 4). Michigan authorities investigating Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf’s election probe. The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/04/michigan-authorities-investigating-barry-county-sheriffs-election-probe/7516592001/.}  In June 2022, the sheriff filed a lawsuit against the attorney general, secretary of state, the Michigan State Police, individual troopers, and others alleging they are interfering with his efforts to investigate election fraud.^{60 Powers, S. (2022, June 7). Barry County Sheriff Files Lawsuit Against Michigan Officials Over Election Fraud Investigation. CBS Detroit. https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2022/06/07/barry-county-sheriff-files-lawsuit-against-michigan-officials-over-election-fraud-investigation/.}

• Legislators on both sides of the aisle in Michigan have introduced numerous election and voting rights bills during the legislative session on a variety of topics. Governor Whitmer has vetoed the election-related bills that have reached her desk this session.^{61 Hendrickson, C. (2022, April 29). Whitmer vetoes election bill proposing changes to voter registration application. Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/29/whitmer-vetoes-bill-change-voter-registration-application/9592055002/; LeBlanc, B., & Harding, H. (2021, October 3). Gov. Whitmer vetoes four election bills at NAACP. The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/03/naacp-dinner-whitmer-vetoes-election-bills-big-lie/5984993001/.}
• Since the 2020 presidential election and the January 6 attack, state legislatures across the country have considered a wide range of bills that would increase the risk of election subversion—that the purported outcome of the election does not reflect the choice of the voters. State by state, legislatures had moved to seize power from professional, non-partisan election administrators and to subject the running of elections to partisan influence and disruption. For more information about Michigan’s election subversion legislation, please see States United’s 2021 and 2022 report, written and published in collaboration with Protect Democracy and Law Forward.

Election Deniers are running for key constitutional offices in Michigan that have a role in election administration and enforcement.^{62 Replacing the Refs. (2022, June 6). States United Action.https://statesunited.org/resources/replacingtherefs/.}  The state’s primary will be held August 2, 2022.

• Election Denier Gubernatorial Candidates
  • Tudor Dixon (R): Election Denier
  • Ryan Kelley (R): Election Denier
  • Ralph Rebandt (R): Election Denier
  • Garrett Soldano (R): Election Denier
  • Election Denier disqualified from the ballot because of fraud issues with qualifying signatures: Donna Brandenburg

• Election Denier Attorney General Candidates
  • Matthew DePerno (R): Election Denier

• Election Denier Secretary of State Candidates
  • Kristina Karamo (R): Election Denier

• Trump mounted a pressure campaign directed at individual state legislators in Michigan to convince them to install “fake electors” who could replace the Biden electors.^{63 June 21, 2022 Hearing: U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, 117th Cong. (2022) (Testimony of Josh Roselman). https://www.npr.org/2022/06/21/1105848096/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript. See also Orner, B. (2022, June 21). Trump’s push for Michigan ‘fake electors’ a focus of fourth Jan. 6 hearing. MLive. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/06/trumps-push-for-michigan-fake-electors-a-focus-of-fourth-jan-6-hearing.html.} As part of that pressure campaign, in mid-November 2020, Trump invited a delegation from Michigan, including Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) and then-House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), to a meeting at the White House.^{64 June 21, 2022 Hearing: U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, 117th Cong. (2022) (Testimony of Mike Shirkey), https://www.npr.org/2022/06/21/1105848096/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript.} The January 6 Select Committee presented deposition testimony from Shirkey, who recalled telling Trump at the White House meeting that “we were going to follow the law” despite Trump’s pressure tactics.^{65See note 78.}
• The January 6 Select Committee presented deposition testimony from former Michigan Republican Party Chair Laura Cox explaining that she was approached by an attorney who “said he was working with [Trump’s] campaign,” and told her that a group of “Republican electors” in Michigan planned to meet in the State Capitol building and hide overnight to ensure that they could access the building.^{66 June 21, 2022 Hearing: U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, 117th Cong. (2022) (Testimony of Laura Cox), https://www.npr.org/2022/06/21/1105848096/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript.} She “told him in no uncertain terms that that was insane and inappropriate.”^{67 See note 80.}

• The day after the Michigan legislators visited the White House, Trump posted on Facebook their contact information, including Shirkey’s personal phone number.^{68 See note 78.} The January 6 Select Committee presented portions of Shirkey’s deposition testimony documenting the aftermath: “All I remember is receiving over just shy of 4,000 text messages over a short period of time calling to take action. It was a loud noise, loud consistent cadence of, you know, we hear that—that the Trump folks are calling and asking for changes in the electors and you guys can do this. Well, you know they were—they were believing things that were untrue.”^{69 See note 78.}
• The January 6 Select Committee played deposition testimony from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recounting how armed protesters surrounded her family home at night in the weeks following the election, calling her a “threat to democracy.”^{70 June 21, 2022 Hearing: U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, 117th Cong. (2022) (Testimony of Jocelyn Benson), https://www.npr.org/2022/06/21/1105848096/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript. See also Newman, E. (2022, June 21). Jan. 6 committee hearings: Michigan officials targeted in Trump’s “pressure campaign.” WDET. https://wdet.org/2022/06/21/jan-6-committee-hearings-michigan-officials-targeted-in-trumps-pressure-campaign/.}