The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Oct. 26 that 48 noncitizens have been charged with federal crimes related to voting and voter registration in elections held between 2012 and 2026. The charges span five states, including California, Florida, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Key developments:
- 48 noncitizens were charged with crimes such as voting in federal elections, fraudulent voter registration, and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register or vote.
- The cases involve legal permanent residents, visa holders, and one undocumented immigrant, with alleged violations occurring in elections from 2012 through 2026.
The charges allege that the defendants violated 18 U.S. Code, Section 611, which prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Each count carries a potential penalty of up to one year in prison and fines.
Geographic and demographic breakdown:
- 28 of the charged individuals are from California, with additional cases in Florida (10), Nevada (5), New York (4), and Pennsylvania (1).
- Among those charged is Alfredo Santiesteban, a 73-year-old undocumented immigrant from Cuba, accused of voting in the 2024 presidential election.
- Artur Kopacz, a 50-year-old Polish national and legal permanent resident, is charged with voting in the 2022 midterms and 2024 election.
- Maricela Nazarín González, a 43-year-old Mexican national and legal permanent resident, is accused of voting in 2022, 2024, and 2025 despite not being a U.S. citizen.
- Carlos Antonio Galeas, a Honduran national, allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on voter registration forms in 2012 and 2026.
Legal proceedings and responses:
- Artur Kopacz has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
- Maricela Nazarín González could not be reached for comment.
- The DOJ did not provide further details on the status of the remaining defendants or their legal representation.
The charges follow a broader federal effort to address election integrity concerns, particularly regarding noncitizen voting and fraudulent registration practices. The DOJ has not indicated whether additional charges are expected in this investigation.