Image Source: Pexelsimagefetcher

by – L. Richardson

The incident of a Chinese student’s illegal vote being counted in Michigan is not just a one-off case. It’s a wake-up call to the significant security flaws in American elections. This troubling case demonstrates how foreign nationals can cast ballots in U.S. elections. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson now faces urgent questions about her office’s election security failures. The situation highlights significant gaps in the voter verification process that could undermine America’s democratic foundation if not addressed promptly.

This problem goes beyond just one illegal vote and shows widespread security weaknesses across the nation’s election systems. Democratic lawmakers have consistently blocked important voter integrity proposals like the Davis Amendment and SAVE Act, which would make citizenship proof mandatory during registration. Michigan officials also face corruption allegations, including campaign finance violations and conflicts of interest, that challenge their steadfast dedication to election security.

The Michigan Incident:

A Snapshot of Illegal Voting

The Michigan Incident: A Snapshot of Illegal Voting, a disturbing case, has exposed significant vulnerabilities in America’s election system. In this incident, Michigan prosecutors charged a 19-year-old Chinese national with voter fraud and perjury after allegedly casting a ballot in the 2024 election. The student, who lives in Ann Arbor near the University of Michigan, now faces serious felony charges that could lead to five years in federal prison. This incident underscores the urgent need for election system reform to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The most concerning aspect reveals that the illegally cast ballot cannot be retrieved or nullified.

Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum states that a ballot becomes impossible to identify or remove once it goes through the tabulator 1. This troubling reality stems from ballot secrecy principles that prevent tracking any vote back to individual voters.

This security gap creates several serious problems. The fraudulent vote stays counted despite clear evidence of illegality, and the current systems offer no way to remove invalid ballots. Because of these limitations, every close election’s integrity could be at risk.

Officials point out that non-citizen voting remains uncommon, with 23 confirmed cases between 2003 and 2022 2. Yet this incident shows dangerous gaps in our electoral safeguards. The Heritage Foundation’s research suggests that even minimal fraud could change the outcome of close elections 3.

Michigan’s voter verification processes need serious examination. The current system failed to stop this unauthorized vote despite federal laws requiring voters to confirm citizenship under penalty of perjury 2. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel launched an “independent, parallel investigation” 1, but the damage to election integrity remains permanent.

This problem reaches beyond Michigan. Election security experts found “multiple severe security flaws” in voting systems across several states 4. The complex nature of implementing solutions means these weaknesses might continue through the 2024 election cycle 5. American elections need immediate reforms to address this systematic failure and protect their integrity.

Jocelyn Benson’s Conflicts of Interest

Michigan’s election integrity concerns have grown deeper after revelations about potential conflicts of interest at the top levels of election oversight. The state now deals with illegal voting cases, and serious questions arise about the complex relationships between public officials and private interests.

The integrity of Michigan’s electoral system

The government faces fresh scrutiny as new reports reveal Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s connections to much of the state budget allocations. These findings raise fundamental questions about oversight and accountability in a system with strained security concerns.

Three critical areas now require immediate attention:

  • Independent oversight mechanisms for election officials
  • Transparent disclosure of all potential conflicts
  • Regular audits of decision-making processes
  • Strict enforcement of ethical guidelines

These revelations go way beyond the reach and influence of simple procedural concerns. Public confidence in the democratic process weakens when election integrity officials face questions about their impartiality. This trust erosion worsens existing worries about election security and voter fraud prevention.

The need for reform

As these system weaknesses become apparent, the urgency of reform is more significant than ever. Election integrity experts stress that oversight can only work with complete independence from political and financial interests. Such safeguards are necessary and crucial for the foundation of fair elections and avoiding compromised decision-making.

Strong accountability measures must lead the way forward. Citizens and watchdog organizations ask for the following:

  1. Mandatory disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest
  2. Creation of an independent oversight committee
  3. Regular public reporting of all lobbying connections
  4. Boosted transparency in budget allocation decisions

These developments show a broader pattern of election security concerns in Michigan, from questionable voter registration practices to potentially compromised oversight. The situation needs immediate attention and solid reform measures to rebuild public trust in the electoral process.

Lack of Campaign Finance Ethics

With campaign finance irregularities, Michigan’s election integrity crisis has taken another concerning turn. Michigan Rising Action, a prominent watchdog organization, has brought severe allegations about campaign finance violations that shake the core of electoral oversight.

The Campaign Finance Complaint

The watchdog group’s investigation has uncovered worrying patterns in campaign contributions that need immediate attention. These allegations suggest systemic problems in campaign finance oversight, which becomes especially concerning when the office under scrutiny is responsible for maintaining election integrity.

Critical violations identified include:

  • Acceptance of potentially excessive campaign contributions
  • Questions about proper disclosure of funding sources
  • Concerns over compliance with campaign finance regulations
  • Possible conflicts between official duties and campaign activities

Implications for Election Oversight

These alleged violations cast severe doubts on Michigan’s election system’s integrity. Public confidence in the democratic process weakens when officials trusted to protect election integrity face serious campaign finance allegations. The situation becomes more troubling with concurrent issues in voter registration systems and a recent case where a non-citizen voted illegally.

The impact goes beyond following regulations. It raises fundamental questions about trust, accountability, and knowing how to maintain fair and transparent elections. The mounting evidence of systemic weaknesses, from illegal voting to campaign finance irregularities, makes complete reform urgent.

The Path to Reform

Election integrity experts say meaningful reform needs an all-encompassing approach. First, citizens must push for stricter enforcement of existing campaign finance laws. Campaign funding sources and expenditures must become more transparent. Independent oversight mechanisms must grow robust to prevent conflicts of interest from compromising election integrity.

Michigan’s electoral system needs immediate action to restore public trust. The foundation of democratic governance remains at risk without resilient campaign finance ethics and proper oversight. These developments highlight why citizen alertness and participation are not just important; they are crucial in protecting and preserving the integrity of our elections [13].

The SAVE Act:

A Legislative Step Toward Integrity

Republican leaders are championing new legislation, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, as a significant step toward fortifying America’s electoral system against unauthorized voting. This Act could be a game-changer in ensuring that only legitimate citizens can shape our nation’s future, instilling hope for a more secure electoral system.

Key Provisions of the SAVE Act:

  • Requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal election voter registration 6
  • Mandates states to implement ongoing verification programs 6
  • Establishes criminal penalties for registration violations 6
  • Creates a private right of action against non-compliant election officials 6

Current election systems could do better with verifying citizenship status during voter registration. The SAVE Act would require states to take specific steps to identify non-citizens through designated information sources and remove them from official voter rolls 7.

Strengthening Electoral Safeguards

Recent events have made the SAVE Act’s significance clear. Some supporters claim non-citizen voting happens rarely 8, but even a few cases can damage election integrity. The Act would set uniform standards across states and require valid photo identification or equivalent documentation for in-person and mail-in voting 9.

Critics point out that millions of U.S.-born citizens might struggle to access required documentation like birth certificates or passports 2. The Act tackles these concerns by making states create alternative processes to prove citizenship 6. This ensures legitimate voters keep their rights while preventing unauthorized participation.

Taking Action for Election Integrity

We just need engaged citizens to push for more robust election security measures. Democrats have opposed similar initiatives 8, but the SAVE Act offers a detailed framework to protect American elections’ sanctity. The legislation sets clear consequences for violations, including criminal penalties for anyone knowingly registering non-citizens 7.

Recent cases of illegal voting attempts highlight the need for urgent reform. Current systems can’t prevent or reverse unauthorized ballots once they are cast. The SAVE Act takes a preventive approach, equipping election officials with tools to verify citizenship status before votes are cast rather than trying to fix violations afterward.

The Davis Amendment and Democrats’ Response

Legislative battles have revealed opposition to basic election security measures. The Davis Amendment aims to stop non-citizens from voting in American elections. Still, partisan resistance blocks its progress, and questions arise about protecting voter integrity.

Context of Democratic Opposition

The Davis Amendment offered a significant chance to boost election security at the federal level. Democrats opposed and defeated this measure despite growing evidence that showed vulnerabilities in current voting systems. The recent Michigan case demonstrated how non-citizen votes could become permanently counted.

Key Provisions Blocked:

  • Citizenship verification requirements during registration
  • Stricter penalties for non-citizen voting attempts
  • Improved procedures to remove identified non-citizens
  • Federal database cross-checking requirements

Power Grab Implications

Democrats’ rejection of these common-sense protections shows a troubling pattern beyond standard partisan politics. Their claims about championing voting rights contradict their calculated strategy that risks compromising election integrity for political advantage.

Blocked Security / MeasuresPotential Risks

Citizenship Verification / Continued vulnerability to non-citizen voting

Database Cross-checks / Inability to identify registration fraud

Enhanced Penalties / Reduced deterrence for violations

Exposing the Real Agenda

Representative Davis’s statements pierce through the political rhetoric and reveal the primary threat to election integrity. “By blocking these essential protections,” Davis declared, “my colleagues across the aisle have chosen to prioritize political power over the sanctity of American citizens’ votes.”

These concerns become even more crucial when we consider other developments. Michigan can’t remove illegally cast ballots, but evidence shows growing areas for improvement in voter registration systems. We just need reform and attention because this pattern blocks basic security measures.

The Stakes Are Clear:

Blocked security measures, pushback against transparency, and a pattern of election system weaknesses create a perfect storm that threatens American democracy’s foundation. The Davis Amendment’s defeat isn’t just a missed chance—it shows a clear choice to keep systems that leave American elections open to manipulation.

Publicizing the Actions of Our Representatives

Government transparency is a vital tool for safeguarding election integrity. Citizens can now view all congressional voting records online. The Senate publishes roll call votes within an hour, while House votes appear right after each decision 10. This direct access to voting information helps citizens effectively monitor their representatives’ actions.

Call to Action:

Publish and share lists of politicians who voted against these protective measures.

Access to Congressional Voting Records:

Platform / Timeframe / Information Available

Senate Website / Within 1 hour / Roll call votes, vote descriptions

House Website / Immediate / Vote tallies, brief descriptions

Congress.gov / Historical archive / Complete voting history

Election officials face unprecedented challenges today. They deal with personal threats and harassment while managing our voting infrastructure 11. Despite these obstacles, citizens still need transparency. The Congressional Record documents all recorded floor votes and provides detailed breakdowns of representatives’ votes on significant election security measures 10.

Purpose:

Educate the public on who is working for election integrity versus who is not.

Citizens should know several threats that challenge election integrity:

  • Vote recording and tallying could be manipulated
  • Audit evidence might be changed or destroyed
  • Systems might face service disruption attacks
  • Malware could infiltrate the process 12

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) increased electronic system adoption throughout U.S. elections 12. Modern systems made things faster, but they created new weak points that required constant watchfulness. Recent election cybersecurity concerns have sparked action from many groups:

  1. The Department of Homeland Security made elections a critical national infrastructure
  2. Election administrators created the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center
  3. Government and private-sector councils joined forces to tackle cyber threats 12

These changes show why tracking how representatives vote on election security measures is vital. The Congressional Record Index helps citizens find specific voting categories and monitor their representatives’ positions on election integrity initiatives 10.

Taking Informed Action

Election administrators face a “daunting task” when they respond to cyber threats 12. Citizens’ oversight plays a key role now more than ever. People should use available tools to track their representatives’ votes on crucial election security measures and share this information to maintain accountability.

Conclusion:

Stand Up for Election Integrity

Michigan’s illegal voting case reveals dangerous flaws across America’s election system. Unauthorized votes become permanently counted while officials block significant security reforms. The Democratic party opposes measures like the Davis Amendment and the SAVE Act. This opposition leaves electoral systems open to manipulation. The combination of systemic weaknesses and troubling conflicts of interest in campaign finance creates an urgent crisis that needs immediate action.

American citizens just need more robust election security measures. They should hold accountable those who block essential reforms. Public voting records help track where representatives stand on election integrity initiatives. Voters can identify officials who choose political advantage over electoral security. American democracy’s foundations depend on citizens’ watchfulness. The protection of voting systems requires sustained pressure to reform and steadfast dedication to secure legitimate voter participation.

References

[1] – https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/30/politics/michigan-chinese-citizen-charged-after-illegally-voting/index.html

[2] – https://www.migrationpolicy.org/content/noncitizen-voting-us-elections

[3] – https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/heritage-explains/voter-fraud

[4] – https://econofact.org/how-secure-are-u-s-electronic-voting-systems

[5] – https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/12/hackers-vulnerabilities-voting-machines-elections-00173668

[6] – https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8281

[7] – https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8281/all-info

[8] – https://www.npr.org/2024/06/11/nx-s1-4991903/voter-registration-proof-of-citizenship-requirement

[9] – https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5189/text

[10] – https://www.senate.gov/legislative/HowTo/how_to_votes.htm

[11] – https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/defend-our-elections/election-integrity

[12] – https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/25120/chapter/7

[13] – Debates, Issue 245 (November 7, 2018). https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/421/debates/245db_2018-11-07-e

[14] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/30/chinese-university-of-michigan-college-student-voted-presidential-election-michigan-china-benson/75936701007/

[15] – https://www.detroitnews.com/staff/2683993001/craig-mauger/

[16] – https://www.detroitnews.com/staff/2647221001/kim-kozlowski/

[17] – https://www.detroitnews.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/10/30/PDTN/75945264007-20241030-ctjme-chinese-voter-041.jpg?width=1320&height=876&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

[18] – https://www.detroitnews.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/10/26/PDTN/75866193007-original-696-e-88-bf-91464-ce-19-f-86-a-0-c-1-fffa-9-aa-6.jpeg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

[19] – https://mielections.us/election/results/2018GEN_CENR.html

[20] – https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Resources/Partners-in-Democracy/Elections_SameDayVoter.pdf

[21] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/28/kamala-harris-donald-trump-michigan-poll-presidential-campaign-male-female-voter-gender-gap/75885411007/

[22] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2024/10/26/elon-musk-dick-betsy-doug-dan-suzanne-devos-donald-trump-kamala-harris-liz-cheney-lindsey-graham/75798509007/

[23] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/23/michigan-election-state-canvassers-certification/6390475002/

[24] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/01/indictment-donald-trump-made-knowingly-false-claim-about-detroit-election-michigan-fake-electors/70509688007/

[25] – https://misenategopcdn.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/99/doccuments/20210623/SMPO_2020ElectionReport_2.pdf

[26] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bciOOmLY1U0

[27] – https://www.detroitnews.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/10/30/PDTN/75945265007-20241030-ctjme-chinese-voter-010.jpg?width=1320&height=860&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

[28] – https://mielections.us/election/results/2022GEN_CENR.html

[29] – https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/voters/only-us-citizens-can-vote

[30] – https://ijr.com/a-chinese-student-illegally-voted-and-his-vote-will-reportedly-count/

[31] – https://ijr.com/author/daily-caller-news-foundation/

[32] – https://michiganrisingaction.org/2022/07/11/bensons-husband-registers-as-lobbyist-for-company-slated-to-receive-100-million-in-fy2023-budget/

[33] – https://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cfr/lobby_detail.cgi?lobby_id=015746

[34] – https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2022/06/30/whitmer-and-legislative-leaders-joint-statement-on-budget-deal

[35] – https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/state-lawmakers-pump-100-million-earmark-ross-ilitch-um-detroit-center-innovation

[36] – https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2022/07/08/michigan-secretary-of-state-husband-registered-lobby-billionaires-company/10013127002/

[37] – https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/sos-benson-touts-transparency-but-hasnt-revived-transparency-website/article_9c59179a-a54c-11ec-989c-9f9de1b340b0.html

[38] – https://michiganrisingaction.org/2022/02/01/michigan-rising-action-files-campaign-finance-complaint-after-jocelyn-bensons-latest-illegal-scheme/

[39] – https://communications.americarisingllc.com/t/j-i-ziijrhy-l-y/

[40] – https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/j/0F/A98/7BE/065347/csfinal/ScreenShot2022-02-01at10.11.28AM-4d937fca1056fa53.png

[41] – https://sessions.house.gov/2024/7/congressman-sessions-cosponsors-save-act-to-protect-election-integrity

[42] – https://cha.house.gov/2022/1/democrats-block-davis-amendment-prevent-non-citizens-voting-rush-through-bill

[43] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzjYUeeBx8

[44] – https://republicans-cha.house.gov/_cache/files/3/f/3f1dbd1a-b3a2-4b85-82a2-2141a1205637/8611EC3C71FCC1AD70B44BC30162E283.summary—dems-nasa-voting-rights-amendment.pdf

[45] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbCP5YG1sg0

[46] – https://cha.house.gov/2024/7/chairman-steil-delivers-floor-remarks-on-the-save-act

[47] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuDWzLUrSM4

[48] – https://www.newsweek.com/house-vote-safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-save-act-passed-1923392

[49] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/republicans

[50] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/democrats

[51] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/chip-roy\

[52] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/republican

[53] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/elise-stefanik

[54] – https://www.newsweek.com/mike-johnson-claims-democrats-want-give-undocumented-migrants-vote-1922872

[55] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/twitter

[56] – https://www.newsweek.com/topic/u.s.-military

[57] – https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2425545/voting-stickers.webp?w=790&f=a6e7869b4675f04d04204f878552950d

[58] – https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2024/07/11/heres-how-many-dems-voted-against-the-save-act-n2641709

[59] – https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis

[60] – https://www.newsweek.com/authors/rachel-dobkin

[61] – https://www.newsweek.com/authors/kaitlin-lewis

[63] – https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1811150893859098815

[64] – https://x.com/RNCResearch/status/1811150279355531586

[65] – https://mikejohnson.house.gov/uploadedfiles/save_act_white_paper.pdf

[66] – https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1811169352739066280

Leave a comment

Quote of the week

“Truth is not determined by majority vote.”

~ Doug Gwyn

Support Independent Journalism!

Explore the Critical Thinking Dispatch Store for curated products that empower your mind and champion free thought.

Every purchase aids our mission to unmask deception and ignite critical thinking.

Visit the Store (https://criticalthinkingdispatch.com/welcome-to-the-critical-thinking-dispatch-store/)

#CriticalThinking #SupportIndependentMedia #TruthMatters

https://clikview.com/@1688145046201828?page=article