A Chinese national studying at the University of Michigan has been charged with illegally voting in the 2024 election. United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced that Haoxiang Gao is facing charges for false claims to register or vote and voting by aliens.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Division.
The complaint alleges that Gao, a student at the University of Michigan, registered to vote using his student ID just before the 2024 presidential election and cast a ballot at a polling location on campus. It further claims he made false statements about his citizenship on voter registration and early voting applications. After being charged with state offenses, Gao was granted a $5,000 personal bond with conditions including surrendering his passport and remaining in Michigan. However, on January 19, 2025, Gao fled to Shanghai, China.
On May 30, 2025, a federal complaint was unsealed charging Gao with flight to avoid prosecution due to his departure from the country.
United States Attorney Gorgon stated: “Illegal voting is a serious crime that casts doubt on our elections and serves to disenfranchise United States citizens by diluting their power at the ballot box. But illegal voting by a foreign national who is from a country controlled by a communist party dictatorship – with no modern history or tradition of democratic government – is beyond the pale. I hope that today’s charges send a message to foreign nationals – including those who are students at our universities – that we will not tolerate illegal voting.”
Cheyvoryea Gibson added: “The federal charges filed against Haoxiang Gao, a Chinese national, serve as a clear and unequivocal reminder that the FBI will investigate anyone who attempts to unlawfully interfere with the electoral process in the United States.” He commended “the dedicated efforts of the FBI’s Ann Arbor Resident Agency” and their collaboration with university security for their investigative work.
A complaint is only an accusation and does not prove guilt. A trial cannot be held based solely on these charges until further investigation determines whether to seek an indictment.
The FBI continues its investigation into this case.
