9 Michigan Republicans plead not guilty to acting as 'fake electors' in 2020

Nine Michigan Republicans who were allegedly part of a plan to have "fake electors" counted in the tabulation of the 2020 presidential vote have pleaded not guilty.

The nine defendants include current and former Michigan Republican Party officials and local elected officials.

They pleaded not guilty Thursday in Ingham County District Court and were each released on $1,000 bond.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced two weeks ago that all 16 Michigan Republicans she said acted as fake electors would face criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, for attempting to replace Michigan's electoral votes for Joe Biden with electoral votes for then-President Donald Trump at the certification of the vote on Jan. 6, 2021.