Michigan Republican lawmakers used a Lansing press conference Wednesday, Aug. 12, to promote a proposed constitutional amendment requiring photo ID to register to vote, citing a new hidden-camera video that purports to show a noncitizen on the state's voter rolls.
The Michigan Department of State disputed the video's claims the same day, saying it shows no evidence of illegal voting and noting that similar videos from such groups have previously turned out to be false.
The video, posted by conservative pundit James O'Keefe, appears to show a person posing as a noncitizen asking a Michigan poll worker to confirm his voter registration during the Aug. 4 primary election. The person indicates he has a criminal record and a prior arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The poll worker is shown responding, "if your name is here, you can vote."
State Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), who chairs the Michigan House Election Integrity Committee, said the person's background should have triggered a review.
"I think we need answers on that. How was he on the rolls, how was he not removed?" Smit said at the press conference.
State Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) called for federal cooperation, saying the allegations should be "fully investigated" and that Michigan should work with federal authorities to close gaps in election safeguards. Michigan Republican Party co-chair Sunny Reddy also spoke in support of the proposed amendment, arguing the state can have both secure and accessible elections.
State disputes video's claims
Michigan Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander said in a statement that the department takes every allegation of illegal activity seriously but cautioned against accepting the video at face value. Benander said nothing in the video shows evidence of anyone voting illegally and noted that in-person voter impersonation is already a felony, according to WKAR.
O'Keefe is known for posting highly edited hidden-camera videos. He previously paid $100,000 to an ACORN employee he had smeared in an earlier video.
A Michigan Department of State review published in April 2025 found that credible cases of noncitizens casting ballots in Michigan are extremely rare. Opponents of the voter ID proposal have argued it could lead to eligible voters being wrongly denied the right to vote.
DOJ sent observers to Lansing, East Lansing for primary
The U.S. Department of Justice sent federal observers to Detroit, Hamtramck, Lansing and East Lansing to monitor polling places during the Aug. 4 primary. Few issues were reported during their visit, according to WKAR.
Before the primary, the DOJ sent letters to Lansing and East Lansing election officials accusing them of failing to comply with federal voting laws and alleging long lines due to a lack of provisional ballots. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor (D) and City Clerk Chris Swope (D) pushed back in a joint statement responding to the DOJ's July letter, calling those claims "simply false," according to Democracy Docket. They said there were no delays at polling locations and that provisional ballots are always available as required by law.
What the amendment would do
The proposed Michigan Citizenship Verification and Voter Identification Initiative, backed by the group Americans for Citizens Voting, would require photo ID to register and to vote. Voters without ID at the polls would have six days after an election to present one; otherwise their ballot would not count. The Secretary of State's office would also need to verify citizenship using documents such as a birth certificate or Social Security card. Kristen Combs, general consultant for Americans for Citizens Voting, told CBS News Detroit in late July that the proposal also requires a systematic review of voter rolls.
Currently, Michigan voters register by checking a box affirming citizenship under threat of perjury.
The proposal still needs final certification from the Board of State Canvassers before it can appear on the November 2026 ballot.
