A student from the University of Michigan faces criminal charges after authorities say an illegal ballot was cast in a rare case of a non-U.S. citizen voting.
  • abff08f4813c@j4vcdedmiokf56h3ho4t62mlku.srv.usEnglish
    111·
    13 days ago

    I have a feeling that this was a mistake. More details needed, but

    He registered to vote on Sunday by using his University of Michigan student identification and documents establishing residency in Ann Arbor, according to Benander.
    later contacted the local clerk’s office requesting to get the ballot back, Benander said.

    Probably he thought he was voting for the student body president or something similar. Or he thought he was voting in a poll sponsored by the university rather than a real ballot for the real US election (akin to https://deadline.com/2024/10/winner-nickelodeons-kids-pick-the-president-poll-kamala-harris-1236159880/ where kids “vote” but it’s just a poll).

    Also,

    The student signed a document identifying himself as a U.S. citizen

    But maybe he didn’t understand what he was signing due to the language barrier? Maybe he somehow got rushed into signing it (because he was late for class) and only realized what he’d done after he got a chance to read his copy the next day or something?

    I’ve heard stories about DMVs just taking your word for it and marking a checkbox. I guess this is different because he actually signed, but even so…

    Finally,

    later contacted the local clerk’s office requesting to get the ballot back, Benander said.

    I.e. he realized his mistake and tried to correct it. Which is was brought this case to everyone’s attention. Guy tries to do the right thing in the end, and ends up arrested.

  • xyzzy@lemm.ee
    111·
    14 days ago

    Well, they had a single case of attempted voter fraud, so now I guess it’s only fair we award Trump the presidency here and now. I believe those are the rules.

  • Jessica@discuss.tchncs.de
    9·
    13 days ago

    U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan, called for the university to expel the student. Moolenaar also chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

    Seems a bit harsh when they are already facing up to four years in prison and a $2000 fine. The article said the person tried to rescind the ballot so it seems like it was an accident.

    • phdepressed@sh.itjust.works
      13·
      13 days ago

      Did he do it drunk on a dare? or believed Trump’s lies and decided he’d try before he learned just how (appropriately)harsh the laws are?

      He’s a college student not a middleschooler.

      • idiomaddict@lemmy.world
        5·
        12 days ago

        I just learned that I can vote as a non citizen resident in Germany. Every country has its own laws and it might have been an honest mistake.

  • Media Bias Fact Checker@lemmy.worldB
    25·
    14 days ago
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