Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf says a confidential source inside the Michigan Secretary of State’s office has provided information alleging that non-citizens can be automatically added to the state’s voter rolls when they update their addresses, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Leaf discussed the allegations on Aug. 18, 2026, saying the information came from a whistleblower who works for the Michigan Secretary of State’s office.

The claims center on the state’s customer and automotive records system and its connection to voter registration procedures.

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According to Leaf’s account, the whistleblower said non-citizens are automatically registered to vote when they change their address through the state system.

The system allegedly sends a message congratulating the individual and informing that person that they have been registered to vote.

The allegations have not been independently established in the material provided, and they concern the operation of Michigan’s voter-registration system rather than proof that any particular non-citizen actually cast a ballot.

Leaf said the whistleblower brought evidence to a supervisor. According to the sheriff, the supervisor responded that county clerks would identify and remove people who were ineligible to vote.

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Leaf disputes that explanation. He said county clerks receive access to the Qualified Voter File, or QVF, only after the Secretary of State’s office has already registered an individual.

He further claimed that the QVF does not provide a citizenship-status flag that would allow clerks to easily identify non-citizens.

The sheriff also alleged that once someone is placed on the voter rolls, that individual can request a mail-in ballot or vote in person using an identification card. According to Leaf, polling locations do not independently verify citizenship status.

The allegations have prompted Leaf to refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice. He said his office is seeking an investigation into possible violations of federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 611, which addresses voting by certain non-citizens.

Leaf also said the issue could extend beyond elections because Michigan’s voter-registration records are used in determining jury pools. He is asking the Michigan Legislature to examine the alleged registration process and take action.

The sheriff encouraged anyone with additional evidence concerning the allegations to contact his office or their local sheriff. He closed his appeal by saying:

“You know this is wrong, it’s time to act.”

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is also a central figure in the dispute.

The allegations concern systems administered by the Secretary of State’s office, but the material provided does not establish that Benson personally directed the alleged registration activity or that she was aware of the whistleblower’s claims.

Leaf has previously been involved in Michigan election-related investigations and disputes. His latest allegations add another issue to the continuing debate over voter-list maintenance, citizenship verification and election administration in the state.

The controversy also comes as national lawmakers continue debating whether voters should be required to provide proof of citizenship when registering or voting.

Supporters of such requirements argue that election officials should have clear procedures for confirming voter eligibility. Opponents have raised concerns about administrative burdens and access to the ballot.

For now, the allegations described by Leaf remain allegations awaiting investigation.

His referral to the Justice Department could provide an opportunity for federal authorities to examine the claims, review the relevant state systems, and determine whether any laws were violated.

The matter also puts renewed attention on a basic election-administration question: how Michigan identifies eligible voters and ensures that people who do not meet the legal requirements are not placed on the rolls or used in jury selection.

Those questions are likely to remain in the spotlight as state officials, lawmakers, and federal investigators consider the claims raised by the Barry County sheriff.

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