Following an alleged violation of the law involving a non-U.S. citizen voting at an early voting site in Ann Arbor on Sunday, October 27, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office authorized criminal charges of (1) unauthorized voter who attempts to vote, in violation of MCL. 168.932a(c), and (2) Perjury: making a false affidavit for the purpose of securing voter registration, in violation of MCL 168.933.

All charges are accusations only and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Only American citizens can register and vote in our elections. It is illegal to lie on any registration form or voting application about your citizenship status. Doing so is a serious crime.

We appreciate the quick action of the clerk in this case, who took appropriate action and referred the case to authorities. We also thank the authorities for quickly and thoroughly investigating this case. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally faces significant consequences, including, but not limited to, arrest and prosecution.

The vote of non-citizens is an extremely isolated and rare event. Investigations in several states and across the country have found no evidence that large numbers of noncitizens have registered to vote. Even less common is for a non-citizen to vote. When it happens, we take it very seriously. Our elections are secure and Michigan state and local election officials carefully follow the law.

Our duty to the law is paramount, as is our responsibility to ensure that all eligible voters are able to register and cast their ballot.

Let us be clear: Voting records are public: any non-citizen who attempts to vote fraudulently in Michigan will put themselves at great risk and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

My office is aware of the voter fraud allegation in Ann Arbor and subsequent charges. It is the responsibility of each and every resident of this state and nation to follow the law, and Michigan election law makes clear that noncitizens cannot vote in our elections. We take all allegations of voter fraud very seriously and the public should expect no less.

As in previous cases involving election law, the Attorney General’s Department has launched a parallel, independent investigation into this matter.