The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey has announced that four individuals, not legally recognized as citizens, have been charged for unlawfully participating in federal elections. This comes as part of the District of New Jersey’s initiative to uphold election integrity.
Under U.S. law, only citizens are permitted to register and vote in federal elections. The defendants reportedly registered while noncitizens and falsely claimed citizenship on their voter registration forms.
Each of the individuals later submitted naturalization applications, incorrectly stating they had never participated in federal elections, which violates legal guidelines.
Among the charged is David Neewilly, a 73-year-old Liberian who participated in both the 2020 and 2024 elections. He faces charges for voting unlawfully and making false statements related to his citizenship application.
Jacenth Beadle, a Jamaican national, and Idan Choresh, an Israeli, are also charged for illegal voting in 2020 and 2022, respectively, along with making false statements on their applications.
Another defendant, Abhinandan Vig from India, faces similar charges stemming from his involvement in the 2020 presidential election.
If found guilty, these individuals could face significant penalties, including up to a year in prison for unlawful voting and longer sentences for additional violations.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer emphasized that these allegations underscore the commitment to maintaining election integrity. He stated that those attempting to bypass laws protecting both voting and naturalization processes will be held accountable.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed this sentiment, asserting that the administration will strictly enforce laws against noncitizens voting illegally. He affirmed that the Justice Department is committed to ensuring the integrity of U.S. elections.
