House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has opened a formal investigation into reports that noncitizens may have been placed on Michigan jury pools and, in some cases, voter rolls. The probe is being conducted alongside Michigan Republican Rep. John James and centers on Macomb County, a populous area in the Detroit metropolitan region of a key swing state.
The investigation was sparked by findings from Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, who reported that noncitizens were appearing in the county’s jury pool “at an alarming rate.” Michigan’s jury pool is drawn from people who hold driver’s licenses or state identification cards. Under state law, individuals who apply for those documents are automatically registered to vote unless they affirmatively opt out.
That automatic process raised concerns when county officials compared jury records with the state’s Qualified Voter File.
According to the House Oversight Committee, a four month cross check uncovered 239 noncitizens who had been included in the Macomb County jury pool. Of those individuals, 14 were identified as having been registered to vote at one point.
Forlini described the findings as deeply troubling. “What we have found is very disturbing,” he said. “Our Qualified Voter File shows instances where some of these noncitizens potentially having a voting history. One in particular appears to have voted several times, all of which could result in felony charges.”
The Letter to the Attorney General
Comer and James sent a detailed letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a briefing from the Department of Justice. The letter states, “Non citizens have appeared in the state’s jury pool, and in some instances, have been registered to vote. The Committee is requesting a briefing to understand the U.S. Department of Justice’s role in investigating such matters, and the potential for similar issues to be occurring nationwide.”
The lawmakers pointed to the Civil Rights Act as giving the attorney general authority to intervene when federal voting qualifications are violated. They asked when the Justice Department first became aware of the issue, what actions were taken, whether similar complaints exist elsewhere, and whether any state or local officials have resisted or delayed cooperation with federal oversight.
Magnitude of the Problem
While the confirmed numbers in Macomb County are limited, Comer argues the case raises broader concerns. The committee is seeking information on whether similar breakdowns could be occurring in other Michigan counties or across the country. The letter specifically asks about “the potential extent of such problems, including illicit voting by aliens, in other states.”
Supporters of the probe say automatic voter registration systems can allow small errors to scale quickly in large states if safeguards fail.
Michigan Pushes Back
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson disputed the severity of the claims and criticized Forlini’s announcement as reckless. “This is what happens when you prioritize headlines over facts, real people pay the price,” Benson said.
She said the state’s own review found only four confirmed noncitizens who were registered to vote and stressed that those cases are being actively investigated. Benson also said at least one eligible voter is now under criminal investigation “for doing nothing wrong,” while two verified U.S. citizens risked losing their voter registration without notice.
Comer’s investigation argue that the overlap between jury pools, driver’s license databases, and voter registration systems is a clear vulnerability. Republicans also note that the Department of Justice previously sued Michigan over voter information practices, adding to concerns about election administration.
House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at tightening voter verification rules, including the SAVE America Act, which is expected to be voted on soon.
Skeptics counter that there is no validated evidence showing noncitizen voting has altered the outcome of any federal election. They argue the confirmed cases reflect administrative errors rather than widespread fraud and warn that aggressive investigations could undermine public trust.
Comer maintains the oversight is necessary. The House Oversight Committee has requested a Justice Department briefing by February 17, saying the issue goes to the heart of election integrity and federal responsibility to enforce voting laws nationwide.
NP Editor: I don’t get this argument that “no evidence of altered election.” ANY problem with elections should be alarming, any possible doubt should be investigated and solved.
