Election worker charged with crimes after sticking USB into voter registration book

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - An election worker in the Grand Rapids area was charged with two crimes after a witness reported seeing him place a USB flash drive into an electronic poll book at the close of the Aug. 2 primary, authorities said Wednesday.

The incident had no impact on election results in a Gaines Township precinct, though it was "extremely egregious and incredibly alarming," Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons said.

"It is a violation of public trust and of the oath all election workers are required to take," Lyons said.

James Holkeboer was charged with using a computer to commit a crime and falsifying records, the county prosecutor said.

Holkeboer couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. It wasn’t known if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations.

RELATED: Clinton Township adds security cameras to ballot drop-boxes

The electronic poll book contains voter registration data, including confidential information, Lyons said.

She said the poll book was not connected to vote tabulation equipment or the internet.