Charges have been filed against non-US citizens who voted in Ann Arbor

(FOX2) – Criminal charges have been filed against a non-U.S. citizen who cast a ballot during early voting in Ann Arbor last weekend.

The individual was charged with attempted voting by unauthorized voters and perjury after signing a false affidavit for the purpose of registering to vote.

It is illegal for non-citizens to vote in U.S. elections. In Michigan, residents can register with their clerk’s office to vote before voting.

In a joint statement released Wednesday afternoon, Michigan’s secretary of state and the Washtenaw County prosecutor said noncitizen voting is “an extremely isolated and rare event.”

“Only American citizens can register and vote in our elections. It is illegal to lie about someone’s citizenship on registration forms or voting applications. This is a crime,” the statement said.

“We are grateful for the swift action of the clerk in this case, who took the appropriate steps and referred the matter to law enforcement. We are also grateful to law enforcement for their prompt and thorough investigation of this case. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally faces significant consequences, including but not limited to arrest and prosecution.”

Michigan’s attorney general also released a statement following the allegations, with Dana Nessel saying her office was aware of the accusations and allegations.

“It is the responsibility of every resident of this state and nation to obey the law, and Michigan election law makes clear that noncitizens cannot vote in our elections,” it said. “We take all allegations of voter fraud very seriously, and the public should expect nothing less.”

As with previous election law-related cases, the Department of Justice has initiated an independent, parallel investigation into this matter.”

The accusations come at a particularly charged time in American politics, with the presidential election less than a week away.

This is not the first time there have been allegations of voter fraud were criminally prosecuted this year. Earlier this fall, Nessel announced charges against four people who allegedly voted twice during the August primary.