LANSING, Mich., Oct. 11, 2024 — Attorney General Dana Nessel announced felony charges last week against four St. Clair Shores residents for allegedly knowingly voting twice in the 2024 August Primary Election. Additional felony charges were filed against three St. Clair Shores assistant clerks for allegedly illegally altering the State Qualified Voter File. These changes designated the previously issued, voted and returned absentee ballots of the four individuals as rejected, rather than received.
“I applaud AG Dana Nessel’s office for their timely response to the alleged voter fraud that occurred in St. Clair Shores, during the August Primary Election,” said state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), chair of the House Committee on Elections. “Despite some of the false and entirely baseless claims that have been thrown around in recent years, voter fraud is incredibly rare, both here in Michigan and across the entire country. With that being said, when we do see instances of fraud or potential fraud, it is critical that we properly investigate and charge those that are responsible — that is exactly what AG Nessel did.”
It is alleged that the individuals accused of voting twice appeared in person at their local polling location in St. Clair Shores requesting ballots to vote in the August Primary Election, where they were informed by local poll volunteers that their absentee ballots had already been received.
Despite the Electronic Poll Book indicating that these voters had already voted and shall not be issued a ballot, it is alleged that the assistant clerks: instructed election workers to override the system warnings and issue in-person ballots illegally, altered the State Qualified Voter File to designate the previously issued, voted and returned absentee ballots as rejected, rather than received, and made no effort to ensure the previously returned absentee ballots were rejected from the absentee voter counting board.
“Of the very few cases of voter fraud that have been documented over the past several decades, the vast majority of them are a result of clerical errors, or misunderstandings from voters who did not realize that their registration was improper or invalid,” Tsernoglou said. “In this case, however, there were multiple individuals who went out of their way to vote twice, and most notably, none of it would have been possible, had the accused assistant clerks in St. Clair Shores not acted illegally.”
As Chair of the House Elections Committee, Tsernoglou has helped Michigan to become a nationwide leader in access to the ballot, making it easier and more convenient than ever to register, get to the polls and cast a ballot.
“In the 102nd Legislature, House Democrats have made historic strides in protecting every Michiganders’ right to vote, yet while doing so, we have also ensured that Michigan’s elections are as safe and secure as ever. We will continue to protect and expand the right to vote, whilst ensuring that those who violate the law will be caught and prosecuted,” Tsernoglou said.
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