A Chinese student’s illegal vote in Michigan’s 2024 election will count, exposing critical flaws in U.S. election security.
At a Glance
- A Chinese national studying at the University of Michigan illegally voted in the 2024 U.S. election
- The student’s ballot cannot be removed and will be counted, despite being cast unlawfully
- The incident occurs amid a tight race in Michigan between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
- The case highlights the urgent need for stricter voter identification laws and election security measures
Chinese Student Casts Illegal Ballot in Michigan
In a shocking breach of election integrity, a Chinese national studying at the University of Michigan has been charged with illegally voting in the 2024 U.S. election. The student, who is not a U.S. citizen, managed to register to vote and cast a ballot, exposing glaring weaknesses in our electoral system. Even more alarming, officials have confirmed that the unlawful vote cannot be removed and will be counted, potentially influencing the outcome of a tight race.
The incident was reported by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office, bringing national attention to the vulnerabilities in our voting process. The student faces serious charges, including perjury and attempting to vote as an unauthorized elector, with potential penalties of up to four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
Ballot Anonymity Prevents Removal of Illegal Vote
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is the inability to remove the unlawful vote once it has been cast. Election officials have stated that ballots are designed to be anonymous, making it impossible to identify and remove the specific ballot cast by the Chinese student. This revelation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our current voting systems and the potential for non-citizens to influence American elections.
“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,” said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
While swift action in this case is commendable, it does little to address the fundamental issue: an illegal vote will still be counted. This incident underscores the urgent need for more robust voter identification laws and election security measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Implications for the 2024 Election and Beyond
The timing of this incident couldn’t be more critical, as it occurs amid a tight race in Michigan between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. With polls showing the candidates nearly tied, every vote counts, and the inclusion of an illegal ballot could potentially sway the outcome. This case serves as a wake-up call for election officials and lawmakers across the country to reassess and strengthen our voting systems.
The incident has also reignited ongoing legal battles over voter roll purges, with Republican-led states challenging the Biden-Harris Justice Department’s stance on non-citizen voting. It’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens are able to participate in our electoral process.
