Thu Sep 12 05:05:51 UTC 2024: ## Former Michigan Officials Launch Effort to Counter Election Misinformation
**LANSING, Mich.** – A bipartisan group of former Michigan governors and elected officials has joined a national effort to combat misinformation and attacks on voting ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Democracy Defense Project, which includes former officials from several swing states where Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 election results, aims to bolster public trust in elections.
The Michigan chapter, launched Thursday, includes former Democratic Governor James Blanchard, former Republican Governor John Engler, former Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, and former Republican U.S. Representative Mike Bishop.
The project’s focus on battleground states stems from years of attacks on election systems by Trump and his allies, who continue to spread false claims about the 2020 election.
In Michigan, where 15 Republicans face charges for posing as false electors, Trump pressured officials to overturn the election results and armed protesters surrounded the Secretary of State’s home alleging voter fraud.
Despite overwhelming evidence confirming Joe Biden’s victory, Trump continues to make baseless accusations about a stolen election. This has led to a concerning trend: while most Americans trust election results, a significant portion of Republicans believe Trump’s false claims and distrust the legitimacy of Biden’s presidency.
This situation has prompted former officials to speak out. Bishop, expressing disappointment at Trump’s continued denial of his 2020 loss, stated it was a “crushing blow” for the Republican nominee. Engler echoed this sentiment, stating Trump “lost the election, he did not serve as president and he will not serve as president for one day in this four-year term.”
The Democracy Defense Project is active in eight states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The group plans to use radio and television ads, media outreach, and local engagement to counter misinformation and reinforce faith in the election process.
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