Hinrichsen Bill to Defend Colorado’s Elections, Prevent ‘Fake Elector’ Schemes Clears Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, that would protect Colorado’s elections by punishing future attempts at “fake elector” schemes cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1150 would make it a crime of perjury or forgery to create, serve in, or conspire to create or serve in a false slate of presidential electors, punishable by up to a $10,000 fine. A person who is convicted of perjury or persuading someone to commit perjury would also be disqualified from serving in the Colorado General Assembly or other public offices.

“When I served in the Army I took an oath to defend our freedom and our democracy,” Hinrichsen said. “‘Fake elector’ schemes and other attempts to overturn our free and fair elections aim to undermine our democracy, and are an insult to that oath and the millions of brave men and women like me who have fought on behalf of our country. This legislation will ensure that future efforts to create false slates of electors in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election will be punished, creating critical guardrails and protecting the integrity of Colorado’s votes.”

After the 2020 election, former President Trump and his Republican allies attempted to recruit fake electors in key swing states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico, in an attempt to overturn President Biden’s victory. 

John Eastman, an attorney and advisor to Trump, was one of 18 people indicted with the former president for their alleged effort to overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020. He is accused of attempting to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to either delay Congress’ certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021 or reject some states’ slate of electors to allow alternate electors who would support Trump.

HB24-1150 will now move to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.