Federal Grand Jury Indicts 10 for Illegal Voting
Authorities charged 10 noncitizens with falsely claiming citizenship to vote in North Carolina elections.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Immigration
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A federal grand jury has indicted 10 noncitizens for allegedly lying about their citizenship status to cast ballots in North Carolina. The defendants, representing seven different countries, are accused of participating in previous elections including the 2024 general election.
Why it matters
State officials are working to ensure election integrity by confirming that only U.S. citizens cast ballots. The North Carolina State Board of Elections is now reviewing thousands of registrations to identify other potential noncitizen voters.
Falsely claiming citizenship carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while voting as an alien can result in one year of prison and a $100,000 fine. The state is currently mailing notices to 1,392 registered voters.
The players
North Carolina State Board of Elections
This agency is responsible for the administration of elections and the management of voter registration records across North Carolina.
The details
The North Carolina State Board of Elections identified the individuals after cross-referencing voter rolls with the federal SAVE database in April. In addition to the voting charges, federal authorities arrested one of the defendants on a firearms charge.
Timeline
Illegal voting instances date back as far as 2000.
The State Board ran voter rolls through the federal SAVE database in April 2026.
State Board officials reviewed voter registration procedures on October 8, 2026.
Authorities arrested one defendant on a firearms charge on October 13, 2026.
The indicted individuals appeared in court on October 15, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of these aggressive voter roll purges often raise concerns about the potential for wrongful removal of eligible citizens from registration lists. Critics argue that relying on database matches can lead to procedural errors that disenfranchise legal voters just days before an election.
Registered voters in North Carolina may receive official notifications from the State Board of Elections if their status is flagged for review. These letters require immediate attention to confirm eligibility and ensure that a voter's registration remains active.
The takeaway
Election officials continue to utilize federal data verification to maintain the accuracy of state voter registries. Voters should ensure their registration information is current to avoid potential delays or challenges during the active election cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about election administration and voter registration in North Carolina Immigration.
Live Poll
Should your state board of elections prioritize aggressive voter roll cleaning to ensure election integrity?
