The outcomes of three investigations related to attempted voter fraud were released Monday by Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
“Our election system is secure, and today’s charges demonstrate that in the rare circumstances when fraud occurs we catch it and hold the perpetrators accountable,” Benson said. “These charges also send a clear message to those who promote deceitful claims about widespread fraud: the current protocols we have in place work to protect and ensure the integrity of our elections. It’s time to share that truth and stop spreading lies to the contrary.”
Trenae Myesha Rainey
After a stack of about two dozen absentee voter applications from Father Murray Nursing Home in Macomb County was dropped off for processing in October 2020, the Centerline Clerk contacted the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
The clerk noticed the application signatures didn't match those in the Qualified Voter File.
The Department of Attorney General investigators looked into the issue in November 2020.
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The applications were from Father Murray Nursing Home residents who had not yet told staff if they wanted to vote in the 2020 General Election, investigators found.
Investigators determined Rainey, a faculty employee, did not contact the residents, and filled out the applications herself, forging the residents' signatures on each one.
Investigators also say that, without discussion, Rainey decided where the residents should be registered and if they should be provided an absentee voter ballot.
She was charged in Macomb County’s 37th District Court with the following:
- Three counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies.
- Three counts of forging signature on absentee ballot applications, a five-year felonies.
Her arraignment has not been yet scheduled.
Carless Clark
A case of double voting during the 2020 General Election was reported to the Enforcement Division of the Department of State by the Michigan Bureau of Elections in April 2021.
A review of the signature on a returned absentee ballot showed it did not match the registered voter’s signature in the Qualified Voter File.
That registered voter had also voted at his polling location on Election Day.
The investigation showed that his grandmother, Carless Clark, 59, had returned his absentee ballot by mail even though her grandson decided to vote in person.
Clark admitted she signed her grandson’s absentee ballot because she was worried he wouldn't have time to vote on Election Day.
Clark was charged in Wayne County’s 36th District Court with:
- One count of election law– impersonating another to vote at an election, a four-year felony.
- One county of election law forgery, a five-year felony.
Her arraignment has not been scheduled yet.
Nancy Juanita Williams
Many similar questions from local elections administrators through the Qualified Voter File Help Desk raised concerns from the Michigan Bureau of Elections in Oct. 2020.
The questions revolved around absentee ballots signed with an "X" sent directly to Guardian and Associates, a business, in Oak Park in Oakland County.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections sent the issue to Michigan State Police for a criminal investigation.
Investigators found that Nancy Juanita Williams, 55, obtained and controlled absentee ballots for legally incapacitated people under her care.
Investigators also say Williams fraudulently submitted 26 absentee ballot applications to nine city and township clerks, asking that the absentee ballots to be mailed directly to her.
Williams was charged with the following:
28th District Court (City of Southgate) – Wayne County
- One count of false statement in absentee ballot application, a 90-day misdemeanor;
- One count of forging signature on absentee ballot application, a five-year felony; and
- One count of election law forgery, a five-year felony.
17th District Court (Redford Township) – Wayne County
- Two counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors;
- Two counts of forging signature on absentee ballot, five-year felonies; and
- Two counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies.
18th District Court (City of Westland) – Wayne County
- Three counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors;
- Three counts of forging signature on absentee ballot, five-year felonies; and
- Three counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies.
29th District Court (City of Wayne) – Wayne County
- Two counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors;
- Two counts of forging signature on absentee ballot, five-year felonies; and
- Two counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies.
46th District Court (City of Southfield) – Oakland County
- Six counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors;
- Six counts of forging signature on absentee ballot, five-year felonies; and
- Six counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies.
William's is scheduled for arraignment in Redford’s 17th District Court on Nov. 2 at 8:45 a.m.
Other arraignments have not yet been scheduled.
“These cases highlight the scrutiny applications and ballots undergo throughout the election process, as well as the thorough investigative process that ensues when instances of attempted fraud are suspected,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I appreciate our partners at the Department of State and Michigan State Police who brought these cases to us. These collaborative investigations assist in maintaining the integrity of our elections. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine our elections.”