Moolenaar, Michigan Members: Benson Failed to Stop Illegal Vote From Being Cast

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar, along with Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), John James (R-MI), and Jack Bergman (R-MI) called on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to answer questions regarding how a Chinese national voted in Michigan’s election this past Sunday.

The lawmakers wrote to Benson, “Your department failed to prevent this illegal vote from being cast and will reportedly count it in the results next week. House Republicans have raised concerns about noncitizens voting in elections and earlier this year the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8281 – the SAVE Act with a bipartisan 221-198 vote. The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, and it is shameful our colleagues in the Senate refused to pass this commonsense legislation.”

The Michigan representatives concluded by asking Benson the following questions:

1. When was your office made aware that this noncitizen registered to vote and cast a ballot?
2. What documents did this person present that allowed him to register to vote? Did he show proof of citizenship? If not, why was he allowed to register to vote without showing proof of citizenship?
3. Can you confirm the media report that that this noncitizen’s ballot will be counted in the official vote count? If so, why is that the case, and what is your department doing to rectify this process so noncitizens’ votes can be withdrawn from the count if a similar situation occurs again?
4. What exactly are you and your department doing to ensure another noncitizen is not able to register to vote?
5. Now that a noncitizen has been able to register to vote and cast a ballot on your watch, will you endorse H.R. 8281 – the SAVE Act that requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections? The House of Representatives passed this bill with a bipartisan 221-198 vote.
6. Can you confirm that this is the only instance that a noncitizen has registered to vote or cast a ballot in a federal election in 2024? Please provide the documentation that confirms this is the only instance or the documentation proving other noncitizens have registered and voted.
7. If a CCP-affiliated company brings Chinese nationals to Michigan, is your department going to allow them to register to vote and cast a ballot? How exactly would you prevent these noncitizens from voting? Do you believe taxpayer dollars should go to CCP-affiliated companies?
8. Do you believe non-citizens should be able to vote in elections at any level?

The full text of Moolenaar’s letter to Benson can be found here.