Michigan Charges 5 Noncitizens With Alleged 2024 Election Voting

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday that five noncitizens and one U.S. citizen have been charged with election-related crimes tied to the 2024 general election. The charges follow an investigation into alleged illegal voting and voter registration activity across the state.

The announcement comes more than a year after the Michigan Department of State referred 13 potential noncitizen voting cases to Nessel's office. Since then, 25 additional referrals have been made, bringing the total number of cases reviewed to 38. Of these, six individuals now face criminal charges, ten cases have been closed without charges, and 22 remain under investigation. All identified noncitizens have had their voter registrations canceled, regardless of whether they were charged.

Details of the Charges

According to the attorney general's office, the six people charged were arraigned between April and mid-August. Three of the noncitizens are lawful permanent residents, one is a limited-term alien resident, and one is a noncitizen residing in the United Kingdom. The sixth person charged is a U.S. citizen accused of registering her noncitizen spouse to vote.

Among those charged, Michael Akioya is accused of registering to vote in Inkster in 2016 and casting an absentee ballot in Oak Park in 2024, despite being a lawful permanent resident rather than a citizen. Harumi Michael, also a lawful permanent resident, allegedly registered and voted in person in Commerce Township in 2024. Robert Piva, another lawful permanent resident, is accused of registering online and voting early in Roseville, reportedly as an experiment to test voter fraud vulnerabilities. Alondra Harker, a limited-term alien resident, allegedly registered and voted in Three Rivers. Basanth Sadasivian, a noncitizen living in the U.K., is accused of registering and voting using a Bloomfield Hills address via the Federal Post Card Application, which is intended for U.S. citizens abroad.

The only U.S. citizen charged, Kimberly DiDonato, allegedly registered her lawful permanent resident husband to vote by posing as him and claiming he was a citizen. According to the attorney general's office, DiDonato later canceled the registration, stating her intent was to test the system for vulnerabilities. She faces charges of election law forgery and using a computer to commit a crime.

Ongoing Investigations and Legal Context

Of the ten cases closed without charges, two individuals were found to be citizens, one was involved in a complex international adoption and presumed to be a citizen, and another is federally recognized as an American Indian born in Canada. Five lawful permanent residents and one noncitizen with work authorization were not charged due to insufficient evidence that they knowingly violated the law or were not encouraged to register by government agencies.

Michigan officials emphasized that noncitizen voting remains extremely rare in the state and nationwide. The attorney general's office stated that all allegations of illegal voting are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted when warranted. The Michigan Department of State has also canceled the voter registrations of all identified noncitizens, including those not charged.

Political and Legislative Response

Noncitizen voting has been a recurring topic in Michigan politics, especially among conservative lawmakers and activists. In 2024, only one other person-a University of Michigan student from China-had previously been publicly charged with noncitizen voting in the state. Efforts to require proof of citizenship for voter registration have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature but have not advanced. A petition drive to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot is currently under review by the Board of State Canvassers.

Nationally, the issue has drawn attention from federal officials, with the Trump administration advocating for a federal proof-of-citizenship requirement and warning states about the consequences of allowing noncitizen voting. However, independent audits and election officials continue to report that such cases are rare.

Understanding the Investigation Process

Michigan's process for investigating alleged illegal voting involves referrals from the Department of State to the attorney general's office, which then reviews evidence and determines whether charges are appropriate. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove that the individual knew they were not qualified to vote and that they were not misled by government agencies. The state's approach aims to balance election integrity with due process for those accused.

As of mid-August, 22 cases remain under investigation. The attorney general's office has indicated that further charges may be filed if warranted by the evidence. Residents with questions about voter eligibility or registration are encouraged to contact their local clerk or the Michigan Department of State for guidance.