The U.S. Dept. of Justice has launched an investigation into an apparent attempt by Republicans in Wisconsin and six other battleground states won by President Joe Biden in 2020 to allegedly subvert the election results by sending falsified slates of electors for ex-President Donald Trump to Congress.

Wisconsin attorneys from the nonprofit law firm Law Forward first asked Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm to launch an investigation nearly a year ago. His office more recently asked Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to look into the matter and Kaul told the Examiner he felt the U.S. Justice Department might be the most appropriate place to handle the complaint, given that groups in seven states submitted similar documents falsely certifying that Trump won the election.

Local officials who have been pushing for the investigation welcomed the news, but stress that it should not be viewed as a substitute for state action in response to potential crimes in Wisconsin.

“We welcome these investigations,” says Mel Barnes, staff counsel for Law Forward. “There needs to be accountability for those who attempted to undermine our democracy, especially those who continue to hold positions of power in our state. Any federal crimes should be pursued by federal investigators, but our state leaders also have a responsibility to enforce Wisconsin law and protect the decisions of Wisconsinites.”