US lawyers who have filed baseless election fraud lawsuits since the 2020 election are increasingly facing financial sanctions, as courts and democracy-defending attorneys push back against frivolous legal challenges. From Arizona to Michigan, judges have awarded tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys' fees to defendants, sending a clear message that the courts will not tolerate lies.
In Michigan, a judge ordered Republican leaders, including state party chair Kristina Karamo, and their attorneys to pay nearly $60,000 in sanctions over a lawsuit that merely alleged corruption in Detroit without evidence. In Colorado, two attorneys were sanctioned after a federal judge said their case suffered from a 'woeful lack of investigation' and made 'highly inflammatory' allegations that could have endangered individuals.
Arizona has seen multiple sanctions against prominent election deniers. Failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, now running for US Senate, was sanctioned in a case contesting her loss and in another attacking vote-tabulation machines. Mark Finchem, who lost his race for secretary of state, said the sanctions put a 'cold, wet blanket' on opposing views. Abe Hamadeh, a losing attorney general candidate, also faced sanctions.
The sanctions typically require attorneys to cover the legal costs of the government entities they sued. 'You can't lie brazenly to the courts,' said Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice, noting that the judicial system must ensure the law is not used as a political tool. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold added that such lawsuits are an 'affront to the justice system' and that those responsible should be held accountable.
As the 2024 election approaches, proponents of sanctions hope the trend will deter future baseless lawsuits, making it harder for politicians to find willing attorneys. The list of sanctions has grown since 2020 as more secretaries of state and elections offices push back against costly and time-consuming legal challenges.
