Chinese National Vote Sparks Controversy at Michigan Early Voting Center

October 30, 2024

A recent incident at an early voting center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has sparked debate over election integrity after a non-U.S. citizen from China reportedly cast a ballot. The 19-year-old University of Michigan student, who is temporarily residing in the U.S., voted at a University of Michigan polling center using only his student ID and proof of residency.

According to *The Detroit News*, the incident came to light when the student later returned to the voting center and asked to retrieve his ballot, prompting election officials to question his eligibility. Michigan law strictly prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in state elections, and officials determined he had made a false statement on his voter registration application, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. Perjury in this context could carry a 15-year sentence.

Because Michigan’s voting system uses tabulators to count votes as they are cast, the student’s ballot became anonymous once scanned, preventing officials from removing his vote. This incident has raised questions among some voters who worry that the student’s vote, counted alongside those of U.S. citizens, might inadvertently cancel out legitimate votes.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, has repeatedly assured voters that Michigan’s elections are secure and that non-citizens cannot vote, calling concerns around election security “misinformation.” In a recent interview with *Fox 2*, Benson stated, “We have many checks in place to ensure that the law is followed by everyone,” emphasizing her office’s efforts to prevent non-citizens from voting and characterizing public concern as fear-mongering.

Election integrity has been a point of contention in Michigan since the 2020 election. Benson has defended the security of the state’s voting process but has faced criticism from some who believe she should prioritize removing unqualified voters from the state’s rolls. The Republican National Committee (RNC) filed a lawsuit earlier this year accusing Michigan’s voter rolls of including names of ineligible individuals. Despite her reassurances, this incident has fueled ongoing debate over the effectiveness of current voter verification systems and concerns about election security in Michigan.

This case remains under investigation, with local authorities evaluating further actions against the student involved.

For more details, read The Detroit News report, The Gateway Pundit, and Fox News’ interview with Secretary Benson.