ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit released statements Wednesday after charges were filed against a non-U.S. citizen who allegedly illegally registered to vote and cast a ballot in the 2024 General Election.
According to the statement, the person attempted to cast their ballot at an Ann Arbor early voting site on Oct. 27. They will be charged with Unauthorized Elector Attempting To Vote, in violation of MCL 168.932a(c), and Perjury – Making a False Affidavit for Purpose of Securing Voter Registration, in violation of MCL 168.933.
The statement also outlined that only U.S. citizens can register and vote in U.S. elections. It is illegal to lie on any registration forms or voting applications about citizenship status. Attempting to vote while not being a U.S. Citizen is a felony.
The statement went on to say:
"We are grateful for the swift action of the clerk in this case, who took the appropriate steps and referred the case to law enforcement. We are also grateful to law enforcement for swiftly and thoroughly investigating this case. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally faces significant consequences, including but not limited to arrest and prosecution.
"Noncitizen voting is an extremely isolated and rare event. Investigations in multiple states and nationwide have found no evidence of large numbers of noncitizens registering to vote. Even less common is a noncitizen actually casting a ballot. When it does happen, we take it extremely seriously. Our elections are secure and Michigan’s state and local election officials carefully follow the law.
"Our duty to the law is paramount, as is our responsibility to ensure that every eligible voter is able to register and cast a ballot.
"Let this be clear: Voting records are public – any noncitizen who attempts to vote fraudulently in Michigan will be exposing themselves to great risk and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
You can read the full statement here.