Accused 'False Elector' Resumes Control of Shelby Township Ballots

Stan Grot, the Shelby Township Clerk, was previously stripped of election duties after charges related to the 2020 election, but has now been reinstated.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:41pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a lone ballot box sitting on a wooden table, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and deep shadows cast across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the integrity of the electoral process.The reinstatement of an official previously accused of participating in efforts to overturn legitimate election results raises concerns about public trust in the electoral process.Shelby Today

Stan Grot, the Shelby Township Clerk in Michigan, has regained control of the community's elections after being stripped of those duties in 2023 due to charges related to his role as a 'false elector' for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The charges against Grot and others were later dismissed, and the Michigan Department of State has now confirmed that Grot is once again leading elections in Shelby Township.

Why it matters

Grot's reinstatement raises concerns about public trust and confidence in the integrity of elections in Shelby Township, as he was previously accused of participating in efforts to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election in Michigan. The case highlights ongoing debates around election security and the role of local officials in administering elections.

The details

Grot was one of 16 people charged with felonies connected to their role as 'false electors' for Trump in 2020. As a result, the state stripped Grot of his ability to run Shelby Township's elections in 2023. However, those charges were later dropped in September, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel decided not to appeal the dismissal. The Michigan Department of State has now confirmed that Grot is once again leading elections in his Macomb County community.

  • In 2023, Grot was stripped of his election duties in Shelby Township.
  • The charges against Grot were dropped in September 2025.
  • In January 2026, the Michigan Department of State notified Grot that he was reinstated to oversee elections in Shelby Township.

The players

Stan Grot

The Shelby Township Clerk who was previously accused of being a 'false elector' for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, but has now been reinstated to oversee elections in his community.

Dana Nessel

The Michigan Attorney General who initially brought charges against Grot and others for their roles as 'false electors,' but later decided not to appeal the dismissal of those charges.

Jonathan Brater

The Director of Elections who previously wrote a letter stripping Grot of his election duties in Shelby Township to 'ensure public trust and confidence in the integrity and security of elections.'

Craig Cowper

An unelected official who was tasked with overseeing elections in Shelby Township during Grot's absence.

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What they’re saying

“The dismissal of the false slate charges does not change the facts, and it does not change history. What Michigan's false slate did was wrong.”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

“I did nothing wrong.”

— Stan Grot, Shelby Township Clerk

What’s next

The next election in Shelby Township is scheduled for August 2026, and there are concerns about public trust in the integrity of the process with Grot back in charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debates around election security and the role of local officials in administering elections, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. The reinstatement of an official previously accused of participating in efforts to overturn legitimate election results raises questions about the public's faith in the electoral process.