Nessel, Benson Remind Trump: Voting Twice Is Illegal

MICHIGAN — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Thursday issued statements in response to a report that President Donald Trump suggested voters attempt to vote twice in order to stress-test the security of elections systems.

Both Nessel and Benson's statements reiterated that voting twice is illegal, with Nessel adding that those who do so will be prosecuted.

“Let me be perfectly clear: voting twice is illegal, no matter who tells you do to it," Nessel said. "The president’s idea is a great one for people looking to go to jail. My office will prosecute to the fullest extend of the law anyone who intentionally flouts our election laws.”

Voter fraud is typically prosecuted as a felony in Michigan, and bipartisan legislation was introduced in the state legislature this summer that would codify it as a felony offense, Nessel said.

Trump made his controversial comments on Wednesday, suggesting that people in North Carolina stress-test the security of their elections by voting in person and via mail.

“Let them send it in and let them go vote, and if their system’s as good as they say it is, then obviously they won’t be able to vote,” Trump said. “If it isn’t tabulated, they’ll be able to vote.”

Benson said the election system has already been stress-tested by three successful elections this year. Each "test," Benson said, proved the process is safe and secure.

“We have protections in place to ensure election officials track and verify every ballot they send and receive and in every instance we ensure that each person gets only one vote," she said.