LANSING, MI — Yesterday, GOP Michigan Attorney General candidate Matthew DePerno was found to have allegedly been involved in the breach of a voting system in Western Michigan. DePerno led a team that gained unauthorized access to voting equipment, then is reported to have used that access in an attempt to substantiate the false claims that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election.

Mr. DePerno received President Trump’s endorsement in the Michigan Attorney General race. Current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor to consider potential criminal charges against DePerno and others involved in the breach.

Statement of Quentin Turner, Common Cause Michigan Program Director 

“Yesterday, it was reported that Mr. DePerno had been a part of a scheme to propagate the false notion that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election. These revelations hammer home the need for AG Nessel to promptly name a special prosecutor to avoid a conflict of interest and investigate these very serious allegations. 

DePerno, along with several others, allegedly convinced local clerks to hand over tabulators, broke into them, printed “fake ballots” and performed “tests” on the equipment.

We believe the alleged actions of Mr. DePerno highlight a well-known truth: Our democracy is in danger — both in Michigan, and across the country. Mr. DePerno and his team’s alleged behavior do not align with the values of Michiganders who believe in fair, safe and accessible elections. 

Matthew DePerno represents a continued movement of partisan candidates who have aided the former president in uplifting the Big Lie — a destructive scheme to try and overturn our votes in the 2020 election. This rhetoric DePerno supports led to the Jan. 6 insurrection, a bloody and violent attempt to block the peaceful transfer of power. 

We have seen several audits since the 2020 election results, and the fact remains that Joe Biden fairly won the 2020 presidential election and Michigan’s 16 electors. Common Cause Michigan does not engage in party politics, nor does it endorse or oppose candidates for public office. However, we must denounce the Big Lie and those who refuse to uphold the will of the people in our elections.

These allegations must be taken seriously. Matthew DePerno’s alleged behavior is a direct attack on our democracy, and we must do everything we can to protect it and voting rights. A special prosecutor will allow a full investigation of these serious alleged infractions. Naming a special prosecutor will remove the appearance of one candidate going after another and focus on what matters — protecting the rights of Michiganders.”

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