“Salim Ahmed, 50, Armani Asad, 33, and Mohammed Russell, 32 are accused of possessing and returning multiple absentee ballots during Hamtramck’s August primary election.

“It is a felony to possess or return absentee ballots unless you are the person voting, the voter’s family member, a mail carrier, or an authorized official.”

If found guilty, the three face up to five years in prison and/or a $1000 fine, stiff penalties whose deterrent effects are diminished by the fact that they are rarely imposed.