In Michigan, election denial probe looms over critical races

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and KATHLEEN FOODY
The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Matthew DePerno made his political reputation on loudly and repeatedly questioning the 2020 presidential election results. But now the political novice is accused of helping obtain improper access to voting machines and intending to use them to further the false claims, just three months before voters head to the polls in key statewide races in battleground Michigan. The reliability of election systems and equipment was already at stake in the attorney general’s race given DePerno’s history. Michigan political experts said the new accusations are likely to influence voters, the majority of whom don’t buy former President Donald Trump’s lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him.