Oakland County officials are looking into why Jacqueline S., a Canadian citizen who has lived in the county on a green card since 1993, received two Michigan voter registration cards in 2025 and 2026. The woman says she never applied to register and has no intention of voting, as non‑citizens are prohibited from casting ballots in the state.
Background of the incident
Jacqueline S. told FOX 2 that she was surprised to receive the first registration card about five days after renewing her driver’s license at a Secretary of State office in Oakland County. “I’m Canadian. I was born in the Niagara Falls area,” she said. “I’ve had a green card since 1993. I’ve never registered to vote.” She added that during the license renewal the clerk asked if she had a green card, to which she replied no, because she had never needed to present it before.
State response
A spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State, Cheri Hardmon, confirmed that the office is investigating the matter. “Over the past eight years, we’ve strengthened how we review the voter file,” Hardmon said. “Since 2022, the Board of Elections and local clerks have cancelled more than 400 registrations through these reviews, including those mistakenly registered under previous administrations. The Office of Auditor General reviewed our process in August 2026.” She emphasized that only U.S. citizens may register and vote, and that anyone who receives a registration card while ineligible should contact their local clerk or the Secretary of State to have it cancelled.
Why the error matters
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of voter rolls. While the state has taken steps to clean up its database, the fact that a non‑citizen received a registration card twice suggests that further safeguards may be needed. Hardmon noted that the individual’s driver’s record spans more than three decades, shows no voting history, and contains no record of an absentee ballot being issued.
Community reaction
Jacqueline S. expressed worry that other non‑citizens might receive similar cards and mistakenly believe they can vote. “I just feel like I need to say something,” she said. Local advocacy groups have not yet commented, but the situation underscores the importance of clear communication from election officials to residents about eligibility requirements.
Next steps
The Secretary of State’s office says it will continue to work after hours to determine how the registration cards were generated and will cancel the erroneous registration. Residents who receive a voter registration card and are unsure of their eligibility are encouraged to contact their county clerk’s office promptly.
Officials reaffirm that Michigan’s voter registration system is designed to protect the sanctity of the ballot by ensuring only eligible citizens are listed. Ongoing reviews and audits are part of the state’s effort to maintain confidence in the electoral process.
Original reporting: Warren | FOX 2 Detroit — read the source article.
