Federal Prosecutors Charge Five Noncitizens With Voting

Five lawful permanent residents face charges for casting illegal ballots in federal elections.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary voting booth partition in navy and cream, evoking civic voting integrity. — Federal prosecutors in New York have charged five lawful permanent residents for illegally casting ballots in federal elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Federal prosecutors have charged five noncitizens with voting in elections for federal offices. The defendants, who are lawful permanent residents, allegedly knew they were not U.S. citizens when they cast their ballots.

Why it matters

Federal law strictly prohibits noncitizens from voting in elections for president, vice president, U.S. senator, or U.S. representative. These charges address allegations of knowingly violating these voter eligibility statutes.

Each defendant faces a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 upon conviction for the charge of voting by aliens. The complaints involve residents from locations including Ballston Spa, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Tupper Lake, and Albany.

The players

U.S. Attorney's Office

This federal agency is responsible for the prosecution of criminal offenses against the United States within its designated judicial districts.

The details

The defendants, who include nationals from the United Kingdom, Bosnia, and Canada, were charged in the Northern District of New York. Prosecutors allege that the individuals knowingly registered or voted in federal contests despite their status as noncitizens.

Defendants appeared in federal court on Oct. 13 and 14, 2026.
The U.S. Attorney's Office released information regarding the charges on Oct. 16, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of strict federal voter enforcement frequently argue that such cases can disenfranchise naturalized citizens and discourage participation in the democratic process. Advocacy groups often push back against these prosecutions, highlighting the complexity of residency and citizenship status for foreign-born individuals.

These charges serve as a reminder to all noncitizens about the strict legal boundaries regarding voting in U.S. federal elections. Residents are encouraged to verify their voter registration eligibility with local election officials to ensure full compliance with federal law.

The takeaway

These legal actions underscore the importance of confirming citizenship eligibility before registering to vote in federal contests. Those with questions about their voting status should consult with an immigration attorney or official government resources to avoid potential criminal liability.