Michigan authorities have charged five non-U.S. citizens and one U.S. citizen over alleged election-related offenses connected to the 2024 presidential election. The cases followed a state review of 38 suspected instances of noncitizen voting or related conduct dating from 2009 through 2025. House Speaker Mike Johnson cited the charges while accusing Democrats of weakening election security, although state officials said illegal voting by noncitizens remains extremely rare. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office is investigating claims while recognizing that citizenship cases can involve complex factual and legal questions.
| 1) | Michigan review leads to six election-crime charges |
| 2) | Details of the alleged voting offenses |
| 3) | Johnson links cases to national election debate |
| 4) | State officials emphasize rarity and investigative limits |
| 5) | Federal policy puts citizenship verification under focus |
Michigan review leads to six election-crime charges
The charges were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel after a review of 38 suspected cases involving noncitizen voting, registration, or related conduct. The review covered activity from 2009 through 2025 and examined allegations across the state. Six cases resulted in criminal charges, while 10 were closed without charges and 22 remained under active review at the time of the announcement. The cases concern conduct allegedly connected to the November 2024 presidential election, when more than 5.7 million ballots were cast in Michigan.
Details of the alleged voting offenses
The charged individuals include permanent residents, a limited-term resident, and a noncitizen living in the United Kingdom. Robert Piva, 67, of Roseville, faces charges of election-law perjury, attempting to vote while unqualified, and fraudulent registration after allegedly voting early in October 2024. Authorities said he described his vote as an experiment involving voter fraud. Michael Akioya, 39, of Oak Park, is accused of making false statements on an absentee application and ballot envelope.
Alondra Harker, 26, of Three Rivers, is charged with fraudulent registration after allegedly registering and voting in person. Harumi Michael, 60, of Wolverine Lake, faces allegations of registering and voting in Commerce Township, including felony election-forgery and attempting-to-vote-unqualified charges. Basanth Sadasivian, 29, is accused of registering and voting through the Federal Post Card Application system using a Bloomfield Hills address. The sixth defendant, U.S. citizen Kimberley DiDonato, is accused of posing as her noncitizen husband to register him online and faces election-forgery and computer-crime charges. The allegations have not been adjudicated.
Johnson links cases to national election debate
House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the Michigan cases on Thursday as part of a broader argument over election security, voter identification, and immigration policy. He said the allegations showed that noncitizens were registering and voting in American elections and argued that Democrats oppose stronger safeguards. His comments placed the Michigan prosecution within a national political debate that also includes concerns raised in New Jersey and proposals to require proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration.
“All Americans deserve secure elections, and Republicans are the ones fighting to make it happen,” Mike Johnson said.
State officials emphasize rarity and investigative limits
Michigan officials have said illegal voting by noncitizens is extremely rare, even as the attorney general’s office pursues credible allegations. Dana Nessel said her office investigates claims and prosecutes election crimes when evidence supports criminal charges. Four referred individuals were not charged after investigators determined that two were U.S. citizens, one obtained citizenship through an international adoption, and another was a federally recognized American Indian born in Canada.
Six other cases were closed without charges because investigators found insufficient evidence of criminal intent or identified possible registration errors. Dana Nessel also cited delays in obtaining federal cooperation and citizenship records. She said determining a resident’s citizenship status can be more complicated than it initially appears, requiring investigators to resolve records and legal-status questions before deciding whether prosecution is appropriate.
Federal policy puts citizenship verification under focus
The prosecutions come as President Donald Trump’s administration makes citizenship verification a priority. The administration signed executive orders in March 2025 and March 2026 intended to strengthen citizenship checks for federal elections and give states greater access to citizenship and immigration data. It has also supported legislation requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections.
The Michigan cases are being used by supporters of those measures as evidence that additional safeguards are needed. Critics of broad claims about noncitizen voting point to the state’s finding that such conduct is uncommon and to the number of referrals that did not result in charges. The pending cases will be resolved through the criminal justice process rather than political statements.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Six people were charged after Michigan reviewed 38 suspected cases. |
| 2 | The allegations largely involve registration or voting connected to the 2024 election. |
| 3 | State officials said noncitizen voting remains extremely rare. |
| 4 | Ten cases were closed without charges and 22 remained under review. |
| 5 | The cases have intensified debate over citizenship verification and election safeguards. |
Summary
Michigan’s charges represent a limited set of alleged election offenses identified through a broader review. The announcement has become part of the national argument over voter eligibility and election security, but state officials have stressed both the seriousness of supported cases and the rarity of noncitizen voting. Further legal proceedings and the review of remaining cases will determine the outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many suspected cases did Michigan review?
Michigan reviewed 38 suspected instances of noncitizen voting or related conduct dating from 2009 through 2025.
How many people were charged?
Six people were charged: five non-U.S. citizens accused of election-related offenses and one U.S. citizen accused of registering her noncitizen husband.
What did state officials say about the broader risk?
Officials said illegal voting by noncitizens remains extremely rare, while emphasizing that credible allegations are investigated and prosecuted when evidence supports charges.
