Exclusive: Michigan’s Voter Rolls Reveal Grave Markers of Deceased Residents
Grave Markers of Deceased Michigan Residents Found on Voter Rolls
A conservative legal group has uncovered a shocking revelation: the voter rolls in Michigan still include the names of deceased individuals. The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) has released a compelling mini-documentary that exposes this issue. The video showcases the names of long-deceased Michigan residents who are inexplicably listed as active voters.
Among the examples highlighted in the video is Mamie Jones, a woman whose birth year is listed as 1823, a full 14 years before Michigan even became a state. Astonishingly, Jones was still registered to vote as recently as 2008. Another case is that of Pauline Schmainda, who passed away in 1990 but remains on Michigan’s voter rolls. PILF Communications Director Lauren Bis visited Schmainda’s grave marker to confirm this disturbing fact.
But the problem goes even deeper. PILF discovered that generations of deceased residents, including Theresa Domasiewicz and her son Thomas, are still listed as active voters. Theresa has been dead for so long that her grave marker has sunken into the ground. According to Bis, over 17,000 registrants on PILF’s list passed away more than a decade ago.
PILF’s Battle for Accurate Voter Rolls
PILF’s efforts to rectify the situation began in 2020 when they notified Democrat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson about the presence of deceased registrants on the voter rolls. However, Benson took no action to address the issue, prompting PILF to file a lawsuit against her in November 2021. PILF argued that Benson’s failure to remove approximately 26,000 deceased registrants violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates the removal of ineligible voters from official lists.
Despite a federal judge’s denial of Benson’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit in August 2022, she continues to resist PILF’s efforts in court.
PILF President J. Christian Adams spoke with The Federalist and revealed Benson’s flawed reasoning. She believes that dead and ineligible residents will naturally be removed from the voter rolls over time, rendering aggressive action unnecessary. However, as Adams points out, some of these deceased registrants haven’t voted in two decades, debunking Benson’s excuse.
PILF’s efforts for transparency in the elections process extend beyond Michigan. In March 2022, a federal district court ruled in PILF’s favor, ordering Pennsylvania to provide records regarding a “glitch” that allowed noncitizens to register to vote in the state for decades. PILF has also sought election administration data in other states, including Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Adams emphasizes that the law requires transparency in list maintenance records, and PILF’s court victories send a clear message to states that ignoring the law will result in legal consequences.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action, and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
How can election officials effectively verify and remove deceased individuals from the voter rolls to ensure accuracy?
Ra_policy.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA requires states to make a reasonable effort to remove ineligible voters from their rolls.
The grave marker evidence presented by PILF adds weight to their argument. It raises questions about the accuracy and integrity of Michigan’s voter rolls. How is it possible that individuals who have been deceased for decades are still listed as active voters? This discrepancy not only undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process but also opens the door to potential voter fraud.
Accurate voter rolls are crucial for ensuring fair and transparent elections. They are the foundation upon which our democracy stands. When deceased individuals remain on the voter rolls, it creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by those with malicious intent. It allows for the possibility of fraudulent votes being cast in the names of deceased individuals.
PILF’s lawsuit against Secretary of State Benson seeks to compel the removal of deceased individuals from the voter rolls and ensure compliance with the NVRA. Their goal is to restore integrity to Michigan’s electoral process and preserve the sanctity of every vote. By holding officials accountable for maintaining accurate voter rolls, PILF is working to safeguard the democratic rights of all citizens.
Call for Action
The discovery of deceased individuals on Michigan’s voter rolls raises significant concerns about the state’s election system. It demands immediate attention and action from both election officials and the public. Steps need to be taken to rectify this issue and prevent potential voter fraud.
First and foremost, Secretary of State Benson must take immediate action to remove all deceased individuals from the voter rolls. This process should involve thorough verification from sources such as death records and grave markers to ensure accuracy. It is the responsibility of election officials to maintain up-to-date and accurate voter rolls, and failure to do so undermines the integrity of the entire electoral process.
Furthermore, this issue highlights the need for ongoing assessment and maintenance of voter rolls. Regular reviews should be conducted to identify and remove ineligible voters, including those who have passed away. This can be achieved through collaboration between election officials, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant entities.
Citizens should also take an active role in ensuring the accuracy of voter rolls. It is crucial to report any instances of deceased individuals still listed as active voters to the appropriate authorities. By speaking out and raising awareness about this issue, citizens can contribute to the preservation of our democratic values.
The presence of deceased individuals on Michigan’s voter rolls is a serious concern that requires immediate attention. Accurate voter rolls are fundamental to the integrity of our elections. Actions must be taken to rectify this issue and prevent any potential abuse of the electoral process. By working together, both officials and citizens can ensure that every vote cast is legitimate and reflects the will of the living.
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