Voter intimidation allegations in Plymouth Township ended in a whimper as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office declared there would be no charges filed. The situation kicked off when an election worker, later turning into an inspector, was spotted on a security camera rigging what appeared to be a surveillance setup near a voting drop box. FOX 2 Detroit reported that the equipment, including a non-functional camera and a solar light, was attached to a light pole using plastic tie-backs near Risen Christ Lutheran Church.
Coming to the forefront amid the investigation, the individual had stated his purpose was to prevent tampering and encourage lawful voting. Due to the lack of evidence pointing towards any corrupt motive, Nessel's agency dropped potential charges, stating, "While this incident did not rise to illegal activity, it serves as an important reminder for all Michigan voters, election workers and volunteers to know what is and what isn’t allowed at polling locations and to comply with the law," according to the FOX 2 Detroit.
This controversy began when the Plymouth Township Clerk's Office reported a suspicious light fastened to a makeshift pole next to a ballot box in February. Surveillance footage later revealed a man installing the light and affixing the non-functional camera to a pole, sparking the now-concluded voter intimidation scare. In a turn of events, it was discovered that this man was a former election worker who had manned a previous voting session for the City of Plymouth's Clerk's Office.
AG Nessel reassured the public of her department's vigilance regarding electoral misconduct: "My department takes allegations of voter intimidation and election fraud very seriously. We will continue to thoroughly investigate each referral we receive from both local or state partners, and prosecute any criminal offenses we uncover." The AG's office further advised citizens to report any incidents of intimidation at polling locations by contacting them directly, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
