The Nevada “fake electors” case will proceed in Clark County, with a hearing set for February 2, 2025, before District Judge Mary Kay Holthus. The six Republican defendants—Michael McDonald, Jesse Law, James Hindle, James DeGraffenreid, Shawn Meehan, and Eileen Rice—face felony charges of offering a false instrument for filing and forgery. They are accused of signing and submitting a certificate falsely claiming Donald Trump won Nevada in the 2020 presidential election, despite Joe Biden winning the state by nearly 33,600 votes.
The case has faced several procedural hurdles. Judge Holthus previously dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction, leading prosecutors to refile in Carson City. However, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in November 2024 that Clark County is the appropriate venue since the false certificates were submitted to federal court in Las Vegas.
The defendants, all prominent Nevada Republican Party officials or activists at the time, have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege their actions were part of a coordinated effort to overturn the legitimate election results. The fake electoral certificate was sent to multiple officials, including the U.S. Senate and the Nevada secretary of state.
Although Donald Trump issued federal pardons to dozens of individuals involved in efforts to reverse the 2020 election outcome, these pardons do not apply to the Nevada charges, which are brought under state law. The upcoming February hearing will address whether the case against the six should continue.