On Wednesday, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced that a Nevada grand jury has indicted six individuals for falsely representing themselves as electors in the 2020 election. All six, who are members of the Republican party, were indicted on two felony counts for Offering a False Instrument for Filing and Uttering a Forged Instrument. These charges come as a result of their false portrayal as electors for the state of Nevada and the creation of fake voting records for the state.
In his public statement, Ford stated, “When the efforts to undermine faith in our democracy began after the 2020 election, I made it clear that I would do everything in my power to defend the institutions of our nation and our state. We cannot allow attacks on democracy to go unchallenged. Today’s indictments are the product of a long and thorough investigation, and as we pursue this prosecution, I am confident that our judicial system will see justice done.”
This indictment follows an ongoing criminal conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump for alleged interference in the 2020 election. This has sparked investigations into election fraud in several states. Recently, ten ‘fake electors’ admitted to participating in a conspiracy to overturn the victory of President Joe Biden, as part of a civil suit in Wisconsin. Nevada is now the third state to pursue criminal action against false electors involved in the 2020 election scandal. This follows similar actions in Michigan and Georgia.
Looking at the broader legal landscape, big corporations and law firms should be aware of the increased scrutiny on electoral processes and the potential for criminal charges resulting from fraudulent activity. This could set new precedents and lead to calls for changes in electoral laws and procedures.