The announcement made by Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini has raised significant concerns about the integrity of voter rolls and jury selections in Michigan. During a press conference, Forlini revealed that through examining jury pool records, he discovered a surprising number of non-citizens requesting dismissal from jury duty. This finding comes at a time when many are questioning the reliability of the electoral process in the state.
Forlini noted that out of the jury pool examined from September 5, 2025, to January 8, 2026, approximately 40% of those summoned actually qualified and appeared. He connected this low turnout to the alarming 239 non-citizens who sought to avoid jury service by citing their immigration status. The implications of this discovery are serious. Why are non-citizens even included in the jury pool? Under U.S. law, only citizens are allowed to serve on juries.
“The thought occurred to me how it is possible that non-citizens were even put in the jury pool to begin with,” Forlini stated. His concern shifted to the voter rolls when it was revealed that some of these non-citizens had registered to vote. The County Clerk’s team found that of the 239 individuals, 14 had been registered to vote at some point, with 10 still appearing on the voter rolls. More alarming was the discovery that four of them had voted, including one person who had voted multiple times.
Forlini’s inquiry brings to light significant gaps in the voter registration process in Michigan. Currently, voter registration in the state includes an automatic process for those applying for a driver’s license. If applicants check a box affirming citizenship without proper verification, it leads to a flawed system. “If this is not addressed, we risk compromising our jury trials and our elections,” Forlini cautioned.
In addition to addressing the inclusion of non-citizens in jury pools, the discussion raises broader issues about the accuracy of Michigan’s voter registration statistics. According to the latest U.S. Census, if every eligible citizen were registered to vote, Michigan would have about 7.9 million registered voters. However, records indicate there are 8.4 million registered—a discrepancy that could hint at potential fraud, particularly given the presence of non-citizens on the rolls.
Forlini’s comments align with ongoing debates about election integrity in the U.S. and echo concerns voiced by those wary of how voting laws are implemented. This situation necessitates a thorough examination of practices surrounding voter registration and jury selection.
The implications of non-citizens voting are profound. Aside from issues of legality, it compromises the foundational principle of equality before the law. A jury must reflect the community it serves, consisting of peers who share the same rights and responsibilities as citizens. Without proper checks in place, the integrity of both voting and jury service in Michigan stands at risk.
Clerk Forlini concludes with a proposal for a verification system linking various databases to confirm citizenship effectively. This solution is critical in ensuring that non-citizens do not slip through the cracks into significant civic responsibilities that they are not legally entitled to fulfill.
As concerns grow, the scrutiny over these findings will likely deepen, raising questions about electoral standards and their adherence across Michigan and beyond.
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