AG Nessel Makes Charges In 3 Voter Fraud Cases

METRO DETROIT — Attorney General Dana Nessel charged three metro Detroit woman for attempted voter fraud during Michigan's 2020 general election, Nessel's office said in a news release Monday.

Trenae Myesha Rainey, 28, was charged with three counts of election law forgery and three counts of forging a signature on absentee ballot applications, which both carry five-year felonies, according to the news release.

As an employee at Father Murray Nursing Home in Center line, Rainey reportedly filled out resident's voting applications and forged their signatures without their knowledge, investigators said.

She was charged in Macomb County’s 37th District Court. An arraignment has not yet been scheduled, according to the news release.

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Carless Clark, 59, was charged with one count of election law in impersonating another to vote at an election, which carries a four-year felony. She was also charged with one count of election law forgery, which carries a five-year felony, according to the news release.

Clark reportedly filled out her grandson's absentee ballot and returned it by mail despite him deciding to vote in person. Clark admitted to signing her grandson’s absentee ballot because she was concerned he would not have time to vote on Election Day, investigators said.

She was charged in Wayne County’s 36th District Court. An arraignment is not yet scheduled, according to the news release.

Nancy Juanita Williams, 55, was charged with 14 counts of false statement on an absentee ballot application, forging a signature on an application and election law forgery in several different courts, according to the news release.

Investigators said Williams developed and implemented a plan to obtain and control absentee ballots for legally incapacitated people under her care. She reportedly submitted 26 absentee ballot applications to nine different city and township clerks, seeking to have those individuals' absentee ballots mailed directly to her. She also submitted separate voter registration applications for each person without their knowledge, consent or understanding of the person under her care, according to the news release.

She was charged in Wayne County's 17th, 18th, 28th and 29th District Court. She was also charged in Oakland County's 46th District Court. Only an arraignment for Redford’s 17th District Court is scheduled for Nov. 2 at 8:45 a.m.

"These cases highlight the scrutiny applications and ballots undergo throughout the election process, as well as the thorough investigative process that ensues when instances of attempted fraud are suspected," Nessel said.

"Our election system is secure, and today’s charges demonstrate that in the rare circumstances when fraud occurs we catch it and hold the perpetrators accountable," SOS Jocelyn Benson added. "These charges also send a clear message to those who promote deceitful claims about widespread fraud: the current protocols we have in place work to protect and ensure the integrity of our elections. It’s time to share that truth and stop spreading lies to the contrary."