A Detroit woman is facing more than 42 charges related to election fraud in five courts throughout southeastern Michigan, including Southgate’s.
An investigation that included officials from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the Michigan Secretary of State and the Michigan State Police culminated in the charges against Nancy Juanita Williams, 55.
In October 2020, the Michigan Bureau of Elections became concerned about possible election fraud after receiving similar inquiries from local election administrators. The inquiries centered on applications for absentee ballots signed with an “X” and requesting that the ballot be mailed to the business address of Guardian and Associates in Oak Park.
After discussing the matter with state elections officials, BOE referred the review to the state police for a criminal investigation.
Investigators determined the guardian, Williams, developed and implemented a plan to obtain and control absentee ballots for legally incapacitated persons under her care by fraudulently submitting 26 absentee ballot applications to nine identified city and township clerks, seeking to have absentee ballots for those individuals mailed directly to her.
She also submitted separate voter registration applications for each person — all without knowledge, consent or understanding of the person under her care.
Williams faces the following charges:
28th District Court (Southgate)
• One count of false statement in absentee ballot application, a 90-day misdemeanor
• One count of forging signature on absentee ballot application, a five-year felony
• One count of election law forgery, a five-year felony
17th District Court (Redford Township)
• Two counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors
• Two counts of forging signature on absentee ballot application, five-year felonies
• Two counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies
18th District Court (Westland)
• Three counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors
• Three counts of forging signature on absentee ballot application, five-year felonies
• Three counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies
29th District Court (Wayne)
• Two counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors
• Two counts of forging signature on absentee ballot application, five-year felonies
• Two counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies
46th District Court (Southfield)
• Six counts of false statement in absentee ballot application, 90-day misdemeanors
• Six counts of forging signature on absentee ballot application, five-year felonies
• Six counts of election law forgery, five-year felonies
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson noted that the outcome of the investigation proves the state’s signature matching standards and other election security checks and balances catch instances of wrongdoing, prompt thorough investigations and results in appropriate action.
“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,” Benson said. “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.”
Procedurally, reports of voter fraud are often first reported to local law enforcement or the Michigan Bureau of Elections for initial investigation, and then routed to the Michigan State Police or to the Department of Attorney General if investigators believe criminal activity occurred.
