For years, a shadow has fallen over Michigan, a relentless pursuit of those who dared to question the 2020 election. Led by the Attorney General, a campaign of legal pressure – often called “lawfare” – was unleashed against individuals seeking to ensure election integrity.
At the heart of this struggle was Stephanie Scott, a former Adams Township Clerk. She wasn’t seeking to overturn an election, but to fulfill a fundamental duty: meticulously examining voter records and election data. Her actions mirrored the demands of countless citizens who simply wanted confidence in the process.
The conflict ignited when Scott refused to allow updates to her township’s voting machine. She rightly feared these “updates” could compromise, or even erase, crucial 2020 election data – information legally mandated to be preserved. It was a courageous stand, a simple act of fulfilling her sworn oath to protect the integrity of the election.
A threatening letter arrived from the Secretary of State’s office, delivered just two days before a compliance deadline. It informed Scott she was being relieved of her elected duties, a stunning overreach intended to force compliance. Scott responded, questioning the arbitrary timeline and raising concerns about the unexplained, constant connection of modems during elections.
The letter demanded access to all election equipment and records – tabulators, voter applications, ballots, everything. It warned of a misdemeanor charge for non-compliance and, chillingly, suspended her access to vital voter information. Then came the escalation: Michigan State Police executed a search warrant, seizing Scott’s computers and equipment from Adams Township Hall.
Immediately, a wave of negative publicity descended upon Scott. She was demonized as a criminal, portrayed as a threat for simply seeking accuracy in the 2020 vote count. Ultimately, she was recalled from her position, silenced for asking questions those in power didn’t want answered.
The situation took an even darker turn during preliminary examination. The Director of Elections was caught making false statements under oath. He admitted that a directive ordering the deletion of 2020 electronic poll book data was unlawful and had bypassed proper procedures. This revelation cast a long shadow over the entire case.
But the tide began to turn. A Hillsdale County Circuit Court Judge delivered a decisive victory for election integrity, dismissing all felony charges against both Stephanie Scott and her former attorney. It was a powerful rebuke of the Attorney General’s actions.
The charges – Computer Unauthorized Access, Conspiracy, and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – were based on a flawed interpretation of the law. The judge’s ruling was unequivocal, labeling the lower court’s decision an “error of law” and an “abuse of discretion.”
The judge meticulously explained that the statute in question did not impose the broad confidentiality requirements claimed by the prosecution. The Legislature had deliberately chosen specific language in other sections to denote confidentiality, language absent in the section used to justify the charges against Scott.
With no legitimate basis for the felony charges, probable cause vanished. All three counts against both women were quashed, and a remaining misdemeanor charge was sent back to the district court. This was a complete and total vindication.
Defense attorneys fought tirelessly against this persecution, and their efforts were rewarded. They successfully demonstrated that Scott acted legally and in good faith, fulfilling her duties as an elected official. Scott herself expressed gratitude that the judge followed the law and dismissed the charges.
This ruling echoes a previous victory in a separate case, reinforcing the principle that local officials should not be subjected to criminal prosecution for seeking legal counsel and expertise in carrying out their lawful duties. The Attorney General, the judge made clear, had weaponized the law in an unprecedented manner.
This case proves that Stephanie Scott was within her rights the entire time. The true wrongdoing lay with those who employed intimidation tactics, false accusations, and perjured testimony to silence her. It was a courageous stand against a system determined to suppress legitimate inquiry.
This victory is a testament to the power of truth and justice. It’s a moment to salute Stephanie Scott, her attorney, and all those who champion free and fair elections, even in the face of adversity.
