Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis agrees to cooperate in Arizona elector case—and judge sets trial date for other defendants

John, this is important: Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis has agreed to fully cooperate with the investigation into the GOP scheme to try to overturn Arizona's election results. And, in another big development, this week the judge in the case set a trial date for the fake electors: January 5, 2026.

This comes on the heels of one of the Arizona fake electors pleading guilty to participating in the scheme—which is a first.

These are significant victories for the Arizona attorney general and for the fight to protect our democracy from election denialism more broadly.

Arizona was one of seven states that had a slate of fake electors who signed false electoral certificates claiming that Trump won the election in their states. Those fake electors likely broke the law when they helped the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and threatened a fair and free election.

It's important that these individuals are held to account for their actions—and this news is one step closer to accountability.

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In total, 84 fake electors across seven states forged electoral certificates claiming that Trump won the election in their states. These fake electors posed a real threat to our 2020 presidential election and to our future elections— and as of August 2024, the fake electors from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada have been charged with crimes. The remaining fake electors in New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin do not currently face charges. Here’s where the other cases stand:

In Georgia, at least three of the 16 fake electors have been indicted and face prosecution, while eight have agreed to immunity deals. And Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who was a state senator at the time and allegedly falsified electoral certificates, is facing a special investigation by a state prosecutor.

In Michigan, a trial court is receiving ongoing witness testimony including from James Renner, a fake elector who entered a deal with the government. The remaining 15 fake electors may or may not be charged. Prosecutors would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the fake electors knew they were breaking the law when they signed the fraudulent certificates, and Renner has testified that he and the other defendants were unaware that what they were doing was illegal.

In Nevada, the case against six fake electors was dismissed on June 21, 2024. The judge said that the cases needed to be refiled in the county where the false electoral certificates were originally signed.

But the dozens of indictments, across the four states that have brought charges so far, reflect the gravity of the fake electors’ actions and the importance of accountability for those who participated.

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Thank you,

CREW HQ