Current:Home > NewsAn appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list -Secure Growth Academy
An appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:08:52
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.
Holkeboer, a Republican, told investigators that he downloaded information about voters because he wanted to compare it to lists he was seeking under a separate public records request, according to a summary of the case.
Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons, who oversees elections, said she’s in favor of an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court.
“This breach of public trust must be addressed,” she said.
veryGood! (287)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- 'No ordinary bridge': What made the Francis Scott Key Bridge a historic wonder
- Named for Star Spangled Banner author, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was part of Baltimore’s identity
- Here's 5 things to know about the NFL's new kickoff rule
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Who are Sean 'Diddy' Combs' children? Family tree as mogul faces assault claims, raids
- 5 takeaways from the abortion pill case before the U.S. Supreme Court
- The Louisiana Legislature opened a window for them to sue; the state’s highest court closed it.
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Waiting on your tax refund? Here's why your return may be taking longer this year
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Trader Joe's raises banana price for the first time in more than two decades
- Sean “Diddy” Combs Breaks Silence After Federal Agents Raid His Homes
- Kansas moves to join Texas and other states in requiring porn sites to verify people’s ages
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Convicted sex offender who hacked jumbotron at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium gets 220 years
- Search for survivors in Baltimore bridge collapse called off as effort enters recovery phase
- Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness power rankings of the teams left in NCAA Tournament
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Diddy investigated for sex trafficking: A timeline of allegations and the rapper's life, career
Named for Star Spangled Banner author, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was part of Baltimore’s identity
Isabella Strahan Details Bond With LSU Football Player Greg Brooks Jr. Amid Cancer Battles
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Should college essays touch on race? Some feel the affirmative action ruling leaves them no choice
Joey King Reveals the Best Part of Married Life With Steven Piet
Activists forming human chain in Nashville on Covenant school shooting anniversary