Chinese national charged with illegal voting in Michigan and his vote counts

In recent investigations in Ohio, initiated before the 2024 presidential election, state officials aimed to address concerns regarding potential illegal voting by noncitizens. Frank LaRose, the Ohio Secretary of State, announced that he had sent a total of 621 criminal referrals for voter fraud to the Attorney General's office. Over a decade, only nine indictments were secured against individuals for voting as noncitizens, one of whom had passed away. This underscores the rarity of such instances amid widespread rhetoric on the issue. LaRose's actions come in light of claims about noncitizen voting despite data suggesting these occurrences are statistically negligible. Meanwhile, discussions in Michigan focus on a proposed amendment to the state Constitution to prevent noncitizens from voting, introduced by state Rep. Bryan Posthumus. Responding to an incident where a Chinese national voted during early voting, the proposal seeks to require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Despite this measure, Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson cautioned that stringent laws could inadvertently disenfranchise eligible voters in a state that previously expanded voting rights through a successful ballot initiative in 2022. Nationally, certain battleground states have adopted or are considering laws or constitutional amendments aimed at ensuring that only U.S. citizens can vote. Such measures have been met with criticism, as advocates assert they could violate the voting rights of many lawful citizens and complicate the voter registration process. The Ohio cases, along with the recent arrest in Michigan, have catalyzed debates over election integrity, with claims of widespread voter fraud being countered by evidence showing that noncitizen voting remains an exceedingly rare occurrence. As the election draws closer, the ongoing conversation around voter identification laws and claims regarding noncitizen voting will continue to shape political rhetoric and policy. In this context, the recent developments can be seen as an effort by officials to reassure constituents about the integrity of the election process, even as data discredits fears regarding noncitizen voting. The measures taken in Ohio and Michigan reflect a broader national trend where the implications of such laws could yet unfold in subsequent elections.