White v. Miyares

Overview

With the support of Protect Democracy and our partners at Selendy Gay PLLC and The Erlich Law Office, former election official Michele White has filed a malicious prosecution lawsuit against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, former Assistant Attorney General Joshua N. Lief, and their investigators. This action seeks to hold them accountable for their prosecution of Ms. White via the state’s controversial “Election Integrity Unit,” which falsely accused her of felony election interference.

After the 2020 election, which Ms. White helped oversee, she became a target of a politically motivated campaign aimed at promoting unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. The prosecution withheld crucial evidence for over a year, causing significant harm to Ms. White’s personal and professional life. While the charges were eventually dropped, the damage was already done.

I worked every day for nearly twenty years to ensure that Virginia elections ran smoothly and according to law. The defendants showed no interest in the truth and treated my career and well-being as collateral damage.

Michele White

The U.S. Constitution and Virginia law prohibit the treatment Ms. White has faced. This lawsuit sends a clear message: Treating election workers as pawns in schemes that undermine public trust in our electoral system will not go unchallenged.

Background

In Virginia, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Assistant Attorney General Joshua N. Lief teamed up with groups aligned with the “Stop the Steal” movement to establish an “Election Integrity Unit.” This unit was created as part of a campaign promise to investigate alleged threats to election integrity and combat supposed election fraud. However, there was a critical flaw: The Election Integrity Unit had no real evidence of election fraud — so they resorted to fabricating it.

Michele White, a respected election official with nearly twenty years of service, became a target in this politically motivated campaign. Two years after the 2020 election she helped administer, Defendants violated her constitutional and legal rights by filing unjust charges against her. The timing of these charges coincided with the launch of the Election Integrity Unit, which sought to justify the need for policing voting systems and processes.

Virginia’s “Election Integrity Unit” isn’t unique; similar initiatives in states like Texas and Florida have also failed to uncover any evidence of widespread election fraud. These so-called election police units are part of the post-2020 playbook of election deniers, who misuse their authority to spread conspiracy theories and undermine non-partisan election processes.

Impact of Disinformation on Election Workers

Michele White’s lawsuit underscores the urgent need to protect election officials from harassment and political exploitation. When dedicated public servants are unjustly targeted, it harms individuals like Ms. White and threatens to erode public confidence in our electoral system.

By taking legal action, Ms. White is exposing the troubling misuse of the legal system for political gain. Her case serves as a powerful reminder that those who seek to undermine faith in our democracy also aim to vilify hardworking election workers.

Ms. White’s fight is not just about her; it’s about ensuring respect and appreciation for all election workers who have dedicated themselves to upholding the integrity of our elections. As election disinformation continues to proliferate, we must remain vigilant in protecting those who ensure our democracy runs smoothly.

Ms. White’s courageous legal battle is a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding democracy. As we approach the 2024 elections, it is crucial to acknowledge the vital role that election officials play and to stand against those who seek to undermine trust in our democratic processes.

Updates

Case Documents

In the Press