Chinese citizen charged with illegally voting in US presidential election

A 19-year-old Chinese student is facing voter fraud and perjury charges after allegedly casting a ballot in the US election.

A 19-year-old Chinese student from the University of Michigan in the US is facing voter fraud and perjury charges after allegedly casting a ballot in the 2024 election, Michigan authorities announced Wednesday.

The student, who is legally in the US but not a citizen, reportedly registered and voted in Ann Arbor before attempting to retrieve his ballot from election officials later that day, according to sources.

His registration involved showing residency documents, including his university ID.

“Any noncitizen who attempts to vote fraudulently in Michigan will be exposing themselves to great risk and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit said.

A 19-year-old Chinese student from the University of Michigan is facing voter fraud and perjury charges after allegedly casting a ballot in the 2024 election, Michigan authorities announced Wednesday. (stock image)

Despite claims from some conservative figures about widespread non-citizen voting, experts say it’s exceptionally rare for non-citizens to vote, and when it occurs, it’s usually identified and addressed quickly.

Michigan Attorney-General Dana Nessel confirmed an “independent, parallel investigation” is underway, with federal investigators also reportedly involved.

The Washtenaw County Clerk, Lawrence Kestenbaum, explained that once a ballot goes through the tabulator, it’s mixed with others and impossible to trace.

Donald Trump has voiced strong opinions about voter fraud.

US presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

“There’s no way to go back and undo it,” he said. This secrecy is standard election practice to maintain voter anonymity.

Legal and election experts, including David Becker from the Center for Election Innovation & Research, said that the inability to identify individual ballots is intentional.

He says that the measures are essential in protecting the secrecy of the vote.

Meanwhile, election law expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy told CNN that “plucking out an improperly cast ballot is basically impossible because it looks like every other ballot cast by an eligible voter.”

The case has stirred calls from Michigan GOP figures for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements, bringing election integrity and voter security back to the forefront in the politically charged landscape.

Originally published as Chinese citizen charged with illegally voting in US presidential election