LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – All is not well in Michigan’s voting system after a 19-year-old Chinese student studying at the University of Michigan cast his ballot at an early voting site.

The system didn’t catch his illegal activity. He admitted it after the fact.

The buck stops with Benson.

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While he is being charged since non-U.S. citizens can’t vote in elections, there is nothing that will keep him in the country or prohibit his ballot from being counted. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is attempting damage control by reiterating that Michigan’s elections are safe and secure.

 

Benson, who has prided herself on “facts,” “truth,” and “transparency” turned off the comments section on her X account and limited them to accounts she follows or mentions.

Dominion voting machines.

It’s not just one “bad actor” that is causing these questions. Dominion voting machines are still being used in Michigan even after widespread problems in 2020. Earlier this week, Benson mentioned how the machines had trouble counting ballots cast as straight ticket.

Michigan Republicans lay blame at the feet of Democrats.

Michigan Republicans aren’t just upset at the turn of events in Michigan, but also are turning up the heat on Congressional members. House Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) blasted Democrats and blamed them for letting the Chinese national illegally cast a ballot.

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“Michigan Democrats have ripped away crucial election security measures over my objections, and Democrats in Washington have blocked the SAVE Act that would keep noncitizens from voting by requiring proof of citizenship,” Hall said. “Only U.S. citizens should vote in American elections, but because of Democrats, this foreign national was able to just sign a form and vote without providing proof of citizenship.” He urged the passage of the national SAVE Act to keep noncitizens from voting.

Michigan Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) offered a stern reprimand for Benson. “Our secretary of state in Michigan is trying to brag that this illegal voter was caught after the fact, but he should have been stopped before he ever got a ballot. It’s time to fix federal law.”

Michigan House bills aim to fortify safeguards.

Harris highlighted several Republican plans to protect Michigan’s election process. House Bill 4227 would require the secretary of state to maintain a voter’s photograph in the qualified voter file (QVF) so that election workers can still confirm the identity of anyone who attempts to vote without photo ID.

Another bill, House Bill 4871, would prohibit on-demand ballot printing at polling places or early voting sites. Cleaning up the voter rolls is the priority of House Bill 4875. It would notify voters who have not cast a ballot recently and then remove those who have not voted in the past eight years. Finally, House Bill 4874 will provide transparency and accountability for clerks by publicly posting a database of those who have not completed required training.

In the meantime, early voting continues in Michigan through Sunday, Nov. 3. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls are open from 7 a.m. through 8 p.m.