Undercover video shows Dearborn poll worker giving wrong advice on non-citizen voting?

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Undercover video shows a Dearborn poll worker misinforming an operative on non-citizen voting, though state and federal law prohibit all non-citizen voting. Undercover video recorded in Dearborn, Michigan, shows a poll worker telling an operative claiming non-citizen status that he could vote in non-presidential races. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. 611 and Michigan state law strictly prohibit non-citizens from voting in any federal or state election. The Michigan Department of State confirmed that credible cases of non-citizen voting are extremely rare, identifying 15 instances out of millions of ballots cast in 2024.

4 claims checked
4 sources
Checked 5 Nov 2026
Main source: 18 USC 611: Voting by aliens - House

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A poll worker in Dearborn incorrectly informed an undercover operative that a non-citizen could vote in federal Senate races.

“telling a reporter who stated he was not a U.S. citizen that he could still vote in the U.S. Senate race, just not for president.” Michigan Poll Worker Directs O’Keefe Undercover Reporter in Arabic to Vote for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed (VIDEO) * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila, 2026-11-04

What we checked

An election worker in Dearborn, Michigan, told an undercover reporter speaking Arabic that a non-US citizen could vote in elections other than for US President.“On Tuesday evening, James O’Keefe released undercover video from a Dearborn, Michigan, polling place on Election Day showing a poll worker, speaking in Arabic, telling a reporter who stated he was not”Michigan Poll Worker Directs O’Keefe Undercover Reporter in Arabic to Vote for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed (VIDEO) * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila

Under 18 U.S.C. 611, it is unlawful for a non-citizen to vote in a federal election, including for US President, Senate, and House.“It shall be unlawful for any alien to vote in any election held solely or in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of t”18 USC 611: Voting by aliens - House + 1 more

The election worker agreed when asked if the undercover non-citizen reporter could vote for US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.“On Tuesday evening, James O’Keefe released undercover video from a Dearborn, Michigan, polling place on Election Day showing a poll worker, speaking in Arabic, telling a reporter who stated he was not”Michigan Poll Worker Directs O’Keefe Undercover Reporter in Arabic to Vote for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed (VIDEO) * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila

O'Keefe Media published a video in August showing a non-citizen who stated an intention to vote.“Conservative political pundit James O'Keefe says he has evidence that a non-U.S. citizen is on the voter rolls in Michigan.”Republicans promote voter ID amendment after new allegation of noncitizen voter registration | WCMU Public Media

Our read of the video

The footage shows an undercover interaction with an election poll worker in Dearborn, confirmed as authentic by media reports and O'Keefe Media Group.

An AI assessment from the footage alone; watch the video and judge for yourself.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

State election reviews confirm that non-citizen voting is strictly illegal and extremely rare in Michigan, with only 15 instances identified out of millions of votes cast in 2024.
The Michigan Department of State reported that credible cases of non-citizen voting are extremely rare, identifying only 15 potential non-citizen votes out of millions cast in the 2024 general election (Michigan Department of State).
Michigan election law and federal law strictly prohibit non-citizens from registering or voting in state and federal elections (Michigan Secretary of State).

Short version

🧩 HALF THE STORY 👉 Undercover video shows a Dearborn poll worker misinforming an operative on non-citizen voting, though state and federal law prohibit all non-citizen voting. 👉 Undercover video recorded in Dearborn, Michigan, shows a poll worker telling an operative claiming non-citizen status that he could vote in non-presidential races. 🧩 Left out: State election reviews confirm that non-citizen voting is strictly illegal and extremely rare in Michigan, with only 15 instances identified out of millions of votes cast in 2024. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat