Absentee ballot safeguards lead to criminal charge in Park Twp.
Park Township and the Ottawa County Clerk’s Office announced Friday, Oct. 2, that a woman has been charged with absentee ballot tampering in connection with two ballots submitted during the Aug. 4, 2026, primary election.
PARK TWP. — Park Township and the Ottawa County Clerk’s Office announced Friday, Oct. 2, that a woman has been charged with absentee ballot tampering in connection with two ballots submitted during the Aug. 4, 2026, primary election.
The case began when Park Township election officials reviewed absentee ballot return envelopes submitted by a parent for her two adult children.
As part of the standard signature-verification process, township clerk’s office staff identified discrepancies between the signatures on the envelopes and those contained in the voters’ records. Staff also recognized similarities to the parent’s signature in her own voter record and absentee ballot materials.
The affected envelopes were immediately set aside, and the incident was referred to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. Following the investigation, the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office authorized criminal charges.
On Sept. 22, the defendant waived her right to a preliminary examination in District Court, and the case was bound over to Ottawa County Circuit Court. Arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 26.
Both ballots containing the invalid signatures were rejected by the Park Township Clerk’s Office and were not counted.
“Our election staff followed the established procedures, recognized that something was not right and acted immediately,” said Park Township Clerk Joan Zeerip. “The safeguards surrounding absentee voting exist to ensure that every ballot is cast by the voter to whom it was issued.”
Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck said the case illustrates both the strength of the absentee ballot verification process and the importance of cooperation among local election officials and law enforcement. He added that enforcing absentee ballot laws also protects the rights of the individual voters involved.
“Every voter has the right to make their own choices and the responsibility to personally certify their ballot by signing the return envelope,” Roebuck said. “Your vote is your voice, and it belongs to you alone. Michigan law provides a proper process when a voter needs assistance, but no one, including a family member, can make the voter’s choices or sign the voter’s name.
"If you are considering completing or signing another person’s ballot — don’t. It is a serious violation of election law and will be referred to law enforcement for investigation and potential prosecution.”
Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Matwiejczyk emphasized the importance of cooperation among election officials and law enforcement.
“We take reported violations of election law seriously,” Matwiejczyk said. “Our office works closely with local election officials and law enforcement to protect the integrity of our elections.”
Voters who need assistance completing or returning an absentee ballot can contact their city or township clerk for guidance before returning the ballot. Anyone assisting a voter must follow the procedures established under Michigan law, officials said.
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