(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/18/2024) Republicans Tuesday cast all of Michigan's 15 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump. The festive scene was unlike four years ago, when some of the same Republicans tried coming in through the Capitol's maintenance entrance to cast contingency votes after Joe Biden won the state.

The afternoon's event took place in the Senate chambers, but neither the gathering nor the Capitol building itself were open to the public.

In 2023, the Attorney General charged 16 Republicans who, four years ago, sent "alternative" Electoral College documents to Washington, D.C. for Trump. The charges – including counts of election law forgery and conspiracy – are still in the pretrial stage in Lansing District Court.

Many Republicans continue to describe the Attorney General's actions as a "political witch hunt" that's wasted tax dollars. They argue the documents signed were solely for possible election fraud discoveries and were never meant to replace the Democratic Party's electors for Biden.

"I now feel exhilarated, excited and really happy," said Meshawn Maddock, the 7th District elector who was one of those charged, who personally spent around $20,000 on defense costs. "I feel like all the people out there understand that this is our justice system that's been weaponized against people, and it's like an awakening, and thank God Trump won."

Maddock served as the 2021-22 Michigan Republican Party co-chair and is now running to be the state party's next head chair. She said today "the Republican Party has never been stronger."

"I have people who have been opposed to me. I want to work with them. I have donors that didn't want to give when I was co-chair. I want them to donate," Maddock said. "I feel like right now is the time for everybody to lay down their sword (and) come together."

She said she expects charges to be dismissed in March.

Little Dances Fill Michigan Republicans' Electoral College Ceremony

During the Electoral College meeting in the Senate chambers, 5th District elector Hank Choate broke out in a dance. He briefly spinned in the aisle, swaying his arms after he shouted "we got it done" about Trump.

Trump won in Michigan last month by 80,103 votes, defeating current Vice President Kamala Harris 49.7 percent to 48.3 percent.

In Michigan, the presidential candidate winning the state's popular vote receives all of its Electoral College votes, which altogether determines who wins the White House.

If a Democrat wins, then Democratic electors nominated by the Michigan Democratic Party meet to cast the Electoral College certificates, and vice versa if a Republican wins.

Others charged who reappeared to cast official certificates were 11th District elector Marian Sheridan of West Bloomfield, 8th District elector Amy Facchinello of Grand Blanc, 6th District elector Timothy KING of Ypsilanti and 1st District elector John Haggard of Charlevoix.

Choate, the joyous 72 year-old dairy farmer from Jackson County, was also charged last year.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra and Rep-elect Jason Michael Woolford – of the Howell and Fowlerville-based 48th state House district – were electors at-large, casting the other two votes.

Additionally, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) and House Minority Leader Matt HALL (R-Richland Township) were chair and assistant chair, respectively, of Michigan's 2024 Electoral College.

Throughout the last four years, Michigan Republicans have been covered by headlines about party in-fighting, "RINO hunting" and struggles to reorganize after Trump's 2020 loss. But today, no protests were made against Nesbitt and Hall as they took their leadership posts, and individuals dressed in red blazers and ties hugged throughout the room.

Laughter and standing ovations filled the Senate chambers when Nesbitt hit the gavel too hard, resulting in the hammer-like head falling off. 

At the podium, Nesbitt talked about his daughter, Catherine, who skipped her fourth day of kindergarten to meet Trump during one of his Michigan appearances.

"He was just so hospitable, so kind, recognizing her from the stage . . . and you just saw the heart he has for the next generation," Nesbitt said. "But our work doesn't end here. It's just the beginning. The new golden age of America starts on Jan. 20, 2025."

Speaking as the presumed House speaker for next year, Hall talked about House Republicans "rebuilding" Michigan. He discussed a vision to fight against foreign adversaries trying to purchase Michigan farmland, as well as to combat "sanctuary" communities holding immigrants and the Governor's corporate incentive practices.

"We see a Governor who's focused on giving billions of dollars to big corporations and not looking out for working people or fixing the roads," Hall said. "We're going to be a principled group of Republicans who fight back and partner with President Trump as we move forward to make Michigan great again."

On Dec. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson signed Certificates of Ascertainment, which are official documents identifying Michigan's chosen electors for president and vice president.

Meanwhile, when asked about Tuesday's ceremony, Michigan Democratic Party chair candidate Curtis Hertel Jr. quipped, “my party isn't sneaking in the side door today.”