The quiet of a Michigan night shattered in August 2018 when a chilling act of violence unfolded in Clyde Township. Joshua Michael Bowman, driven by a desperate obsession, invaded the apartment of his estranged wife, forever altering the lives of those caught in his wake.
Bowman, meticulously tracking his wife’s movements after a divorce filing, followed her and Port Huron Police Lt. Joel Michael Wood from a comedy show to her home. Fuelled by jealousy, he armed himself and stormed into the bedroom, unleashing a brutal attack that claimed the life of the 23-year veteran officer, who was off-duty at the time.
Lt. Joel Wood was more than just a police officer; he was a dedicated public servant, a beloved father, and a pillar of his community. His death sent shockwaves through the Port Huron Police Department and left his family grappling with unimaginable grief. The senselessness of the act resonated deeply with all who knew him.
The aftermath of the shooting was devastating for Wood’s daughter, Farrah. She described a life consumed by fear and sorrow, haunted by the sound of sirens and the agonizing realization that her father could not be saved. Her testimony painted a heartbreaking picture of loss and trauma.
Bowman was swiftly convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Yet, a disturbing revelation emerged years later, raising serious questions about the integrity of the state’s voter rolls.
Despite his conviction and imprisonment, Bowman was registered to vote in October 2020. This occurred during a fiercely contested election, and the discovery ignited concerns about potential vulnerabilities in the system. He even cast a ballot in the November general election, a fact confirmed by voter records.
Michigan law clearly disqualifies incarcerated individuals from voting. The responsibility for maintaining accurate voter rolls falls to the Secretary of State, yet Bowman remained on the list, registered as a permanent absentee voter with a forwarding address.
This oversight wasn’t an isolated incident. Investigations revealed a pattern of convicted criminals being registered to vote while incarcerated, raising alarms among election integrity experts. The “permanent absentee” status, in particular, was flagged as a potential avenue for fraudulent activity.
While the source of these registrations remains unclear, the discovery underscores a critical flaw in the system. The possibility of ballots being cast on behalf of incarcerated individuals, and potentially counted, presents a grave threat to the fairness and accuracy of elections.
The case of Joshua Michael Bowman serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and reform. It highlights the importance of safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that only eligible citizens have the right to vote, even in the most challenging circumstances.
