Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini has brought to light a significant issue regarding non-citizens being summoned for jury duty in Michigan at what he terms an "alarming rate." This revelation comes after a detailed investigation by his office into the county's jury selection process, which draws potential jurors from the state's driver's license and ID database.
The findings have prompted an evaluation of the county's jury and voter systems' security and reliability. Forlini, currently in the running for the Republican nomination for Michigan Secretary of State, expressed his concern over the presence of non-citizens in jury pools. He noted that a cross-reference with the Qualified Voter File (QVF) indicated that several non-citizens were also listed in voter registrations.
Between September 5 and January 8, officials identified 239 individuals within the jury pool who self-reported as non-citizens. Out of these, 14 had been previously registered to vote, and 10 still had active voter registrations. Remarkably, three had voting histories, including one who had voted multiple times before being removed from the voter rolls.
These instances are being taken seriously and have been referred to the appropriate authorities, including the county's corporation counsel, as confirmed by Forlini. He warned that such oversights could potentially undermine the entire judicial system, while also raising questions about the election process – particularly considering that jury duty selection is meant for citizens only.
The process of removing non-citizens from jury lists has proven to be an administrative challenge, requiring manual processing which has placed a strain on county resources. It also highlighted the need for improved verification measures to ensure the accuracy of both voter registration and jury service lists.
Former Secretary of State Candice Miller and State Representative Joe Aragona echoed Forlini's concerns, emphasizing the necessity of lawful participation and calling for additional oversight to uphold public trust in the state's electoral and judicial procedures.
The Secretary of State's office has clarified that jury pools are sourced from driver's license and ID records, not voter files. Spokeswoman Cheri Hardmon assured that only eligible U.S. citizens may vote and that any irregularities are thoroughly investigated.
Monika Rittner, the supervisor of records for the Circuit Court, detailed the procedures in place for removing non-citizens from jury and voter lists. This includes prompting individuals who declare non-citizenship to provide documentation to verify their status, similar to recent efforts in removing deceased individuals from voter rolls.
While the issue seems limited to Macomb County at present, officials warn that it could indicate more widespread vulnerabilities within the state's system. Forlini's office is actively updating its software and monitoring procedures to prevent such errors in the future, underscoring the importance of ensuring that only qualified citizens are allowed to participate in jury service and elections.
Social media commentary from figures like Scott Presler and Dave Bondy reflects broader public concern and calls for accountability from state officials, highlighting the need for prompt and transparent action to address these issues.
