The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has flagged an investigation into possible double voting by four individuals during the August 6 primary election in St. Clair Shores. This notification came after Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini and the St. Clair Shores City Clerk's Office reported the incident, according to a press release from Forlini's office and the county's official website.
The issue at hand occurred when four people allegedly voted twice, once absentee and then again in person on Election Day in precincts 7, 15, and 16. The St. Clair Shores clerk, Abby Barrett identified the potential cases of double voting and promptly reported them to Forlini and state election officials. Forlini, in a statement obtained by Detroit Free Press, emphasized the commitment to election integrity, stating, "Our elections in Macomb County have strong protocols in place..." and that "Multiple safeguards are put in place to ensure that instances of voter fraud are rare and if attempted, are exposed."
Voter turnout in Macomb County was over 21%, reflecting 155,839 ballots cast across the 21 precincts of St. Clair Shores. The potential double voting represents a minuscule fraction of the electorate, but officials are keen to show that each case is taken seriously. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido reiterated that election law violations are scarce but must be pursued diligently to maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
According to Macomb County website, "Our top priority is ensuring that every election is conducted safely with the highest level of security." Michigan law mandates that any known instance of a person attempting to vote twice is reported to the prosecuting attorney and the Secretary of State. Lucido's office will treat the allegations as any other criminal case, forwarding them for investigation by the St. Clair Shores Police Department, which will decide whether to a file a warrant request.
The investigation's findings will be crucial in determining any further legal action. State election law outlines specific procedures for reporting and addressing allegations of voter fraud, yet the decision to prosecute depends on the outcome of the police investigation and the evidence gathered. Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expressed gratitude for the partnership in combating voter fraud and the swift action to refer the matter for potential prosecution.
