On Thursday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the conclusion of the Department’s review of a Plymouth Township police investigation into an incident of alleged voter intimidation during the February 2024 Primary Election without issuing charges.
On February 16, 2024, the Plymouth Township Clerk’s Office alerted authorities of alleged voter intimidation after discovering a solar light mounted to a homemade pole positioned near a ballot box at a polling location. Examination revealed no signs of tampering with the ballot box itself.
Later that day, the Clerk’s Office informed Plymouth Township police that they located surveillance video of an individual placing the light near the ballot box. The video also showed the individual placing a camera on a light pole 20-30 feet from the ballot box. The camera was affixed to the pole with a plastic tie and was non-functional.
After hearing about potential voter intimidation at the polling location, an election worker/inspector who worked a previous election for the City of Plymouth’s Clerk's Office came forward. He admitted to placing the non-functional camera and solar light, and asserted his intent was to deter tampering and promote honest voting.
After its review, the Department determined there was insufficient evidence of corrupt intent, as would be required to substantiate a criminal charge related to this incident.
“My department takes allegations of voter intimidation and election fraud very seriously. We will continue to thoroughly investigate each referral we receive from both local or state partners, and prosecute any criminal offenses we uncover,” said Nessel. “While this incident did not rise to illegal activity, it serves as an important reminder for all Michigan voters, election workers and volunteers to know what is and what isn’t allowed at polling locations and to comply with the law.”
People experiencing or witnessing voter intimidation at a polling place or an early voting location are encouraged to contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General by email at miag@michigan.gov or call 517-335-7659.
On February 16, 2024, the Plymouth Township Clerk’s Office alerted authorities of alleged voter intimidation after discovering a solar light mounted to a homemade pole positioned near a ballot box at a polling location. Examination revealed no signs of tampering with the ballot box itself.
Later that day, the Clerk’s Office informed Plymouth Township police that they located surveillance video of an individual placing the light near the ballot box. The video also showed the individual placing a camera on a light pole 20-30 feet from the ballot box. The camera was affixed to the pole with a plastic tie and was non-functional.
After hearing about potential voter intimidation at the polling location, an election worker/inspector who worked a previous election for the City of Plymouth’s Clerk's Office came forward. He admitted to placing the non-functional camera and solar light, and asserted his intent was to deter tampering and promote honest voting.
After its review, the Department determined there was insufficient evidence of corrupt intent, as would be required to substantiate a criminal charge related to this incident.
“My department takes allegations of voter intimidation and election fraud very seriously. We will continue to thoroughly investigate each referral we receive from both local or state partners, and prosecute any criminal offenses we uncover,” said Nessel. “While this incident did not rise to illegal activity, it serves as an important reminder for all Michigan voters, election workers and volunteers to know what is and what isn’t allowed at polling locations and to comply with the law.”
People experiencing or witnessing voter intimidation at a polling place or an early voting location are encouraged to contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General by email at miag@michigan.gov or call 517-335-7659.
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