GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — An appeals court dismissed charges against a Michigan election worker who put a USB flash drive into an electronic poll book and downloaded the names of voters at the close of a primary election in 2022.
The court’s conclusion: James Holkeboer’s conduct was improper but not a crime.
He was charged with election fraud. But Holkeboer’s lawyers pointed out that the state law used by prosecutors only bars acts that change the election record.
“The prosecution had to demonstrate that Holkeboer fraudulently removed or secreted the election list of voters such that the information was no longer available or altered,” the court said in a 3-0 opinion Thursday.
“Here, no evidence was presented that election information was altered or made unavailable” to local election officials, the court said.
Holkeboer’s acts did not affect the results of the 2022 primary election. He was working at a polling place in Kent County’s Gaines Township, south of Grand Rapids, for the first time.
A former Russian tycoon who once led separatist region launches a hunger strike in Azerbaijan jail
Chinese modernization conceived in China, opportunities it brings belong to world
Tsitsipas beats Sinner to reach Monte Carlo Masters final, will face Djokovic or Ruud
China renews blue alert for strong winds
Bitcoin halving: Everything you need to know
Senior Chinese legislator emphasizes importance of handling ethnic affairs according to the law
Decreased clout reason for U.S. anger at Beijing
To ensure that the global economy grows on right track
Europe discards Arsenal and Liverpool shift focus to EPL title race
Xi Focus: Xi stresses achieving goals set for Chinese PLA centenary
A man gets 19 years for a downtown St. Louis crash that cost a teen volleyball player her legs
Letter from Lhasa: A return after 14 years