For years, anyone suggesting noncitizens might cast ballots in U.S. elections faced skepticism, fact-checking, and the label of “conspiracy theorist.” The media establishment uniformly dismissed such claims as fantasies born from those unwilling to accept election results.
However, when the SAVE America Act — legislation requiring proof of citizenship for federal registration — reached the Senate, it was abandoned before passage despite efforts by Senator Mike Lee to keep the chamber in session. This outcome reflects Washington’s reluctance to implement basic safeguards for election integrity.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged five noncitizens with illegally voting in the 2024 federal election and also accused a U.S. citizen of registering her noncitizen husband.
In a statement, Nessel said: “We’ve always taken election crimes seriously and prosecute attacks on our voting systems to the fullest extent of the law.” She added that her office investigates all claims of noncitizen voters, noting such cases are rare but serious when they occur.
Nessel, a Democratic attorney general in a blue-leaning state, has filed criminal charges without partisan motivation. This action underscores the gravity of election fraud regardless of political affiliation.
The cases reveal significant vulnerabilities: Robert Piva, 67, from Roseville, registered online and voted early in person, claiming his ballot was part of an “experiment concerning voter fraud.” His vote was counted. Basanth Sadasivian, 29, registered and voted electronically while living in the United Kingdom. Kimberley DiDonato, a U.S. citizen, registered her noncitizen husband under the pretense of testing the registration system for vulnerabilities — and discovered flaws.
Critics argue that these charges demonstrate election security, but the timing reveals a critical issue: charges were filed in August 2026—nearly two years after the votes influenced outcomes. This delay undermines election integrity measures.
Michigan’s attorney general reports a broader pattern: The Secretary of State referred 16 cases from the November 2024 election alone, with an additional 22 cases investigated across elections from 2009 to 2025. Of the total 38 cases, six resulted in criminal charges, ten were closed, and twenty-two remain under active review.
Notably, six investigations were dismissed because prosecutors could not prove that voters knowingly violated eligibility rules. The registration process allowed these individuals to vote without challenge—effectively leaving the door unlocked.
The SAVE America Act targets this vulnerability by requiring proof of citizenship before federal voting registration. The bill would protect legal citizens’ rights while ensuring only eligible individuals participate in elections—a basic requirement for secure systems. Despite mounting evidence from courtrooms, Congress has failed to pass the legislation.
Nessel described noncitizen voting as “rare.” However, 38 cases investigated in one state stretch the definition of rare. These figures represent only those cases detected and reviewed; the true number remains unknown.
