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Charges Filed for Double Voting in Michigan Primary Election
DETROIT — In an unprecedented incident, four individuals have been charged with casting two votes in Michigan’s recent summer primary election. The announcement of these felony charges was made by the state attorney general, Dana Nessel, who also identified several public employees for their alleged facilitation of this electoral misconduct.
“It’s shocking and simply unheard of,” Nessel remarked on the gravity of the situation.
The charges arise from events in St. Clair Shores, occurring just a month prior to the crucial general election, where voter turnout is anticipated to be exceptionally high, given the state’s significance to both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
“What occurred here cannot be allowed to be repeated in November,” Nessel stated, emphasizing the need for integrity in the electoral process. “It is imperative that all election staff, volunteers, and assistant clerks adhere to the laws governing our state.”
According to the attorney general, the four individuals had previously submitted absentee ballots for the primary held on August 6. Despite their prior voting, they attempted to cast in-person votes on the same day in St. Clair Shores, a practice deemed illegal under state law. Nessel clarified that voters cannot invalidate an already processed absentee ballot on Election Day and proceed to vote in person.
An electronic poll book confirmed that these individuals had already participated in the election. However, after a consultation with local election officials, they were allowed to vote again, raising concerns about procedural adherence.
While Nessel confirmed that these additional votes did not alter the outcome of the races in question, the implications of such actions on public trust in the voting process remain significant.
Charges have been brought against the four voters for their double voting, while three assistant clerks from St. Clair Shores face charges related to falsifying election documentation.
As for the motivations behind the actions of the seven individuals involved, Nessel noted that these remain unclear and that there is no evidence indicating collusion among the parties.
The state’s involvement followed the decision of local Republican prosecutor Pete Lucido, who stated that he found “no malicious or criminal intent” and opted not to pursue charges previously.
In a pointed critique, Nessel suggested that Lucido’s lack of expertise in election law could have contributed to his decision. “There are so many different procedures involved here,” she commented. “If you’re not highly familiar with this, it can be easy to make mistakes.”
As the general election approaches, the Michigan electoral landscape is under scrutiny, underscoring the importance of vigilance and adherence to electoral laws to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
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Source
abcnews.go.com