U.S. charges 5 more Canadians with voter fraud offences amid Trump administration crackdown
The U.S. Department of Justice says charges have been laid against five more Canadians for voting fraud-related offences, the latest in a flurry of similar prosecutions ahead of next week's midterm elections.
At least 20 Canadians now charged or sentenced in U.S. election integrity investigations this year
Thomas Daigle · CBC News
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The U.S. Department of Justice says charges have been laid against five more Canadians for voting fraud-related offences, the latest in a flurry of similar prosecutions ahead of next week's midterm elections.
According to a tally compiled by CBC News, at least 20 Canadians have now been either charged or sentenced in the U.S. this year in federal election integrity investigations. Most charges have been filed since last month, with allegations typically dating back several years.
The five latest cases were announced in a series of news releases Thursday and Friday from U.S. attorney's offices in Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina and Wisconsin. They all involve Canadians living in the U.S. — most of them listed as lawful permanent residents — accused of falsely claiming citizenship to cast a ballot, or illegally voting in a past election.
The defendants are between 58 and 68 years old, according to the Department of Justice.
"The right to vote is fundamental to American citizenship and a cornerstone of our republic," Dan Bishop, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, said in a statement.
Bishop said the recent charges "serve notice that those who violate our election laws, including non-citizens who register and vote, will be investigated and prosecuted."
A 69-year-old Canadian woman charged with 'illegal voting by an alien' was arrested after dark while in her housecoat, according to this image released by U.S. authorities. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
U.S. federal prosecutors and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) — a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement — have in recent weeks repeatedly highlighted their efforts to crack down on voter fraud.
"Anyone who unlawfully votes will be found and brought to justice!" HSI said Friday in a post on X.
U.S. authorities have announced similar charges against citizens of several other countries including Australia, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica and the United Kingdom.
The efforts align with U.S. President Donald Trump's long-running false claims of widespread voter fraud in federal elections.
"The timing tells us why it's likely they're doing this," said David Becker, executive director of the non-partisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, in a recent interview.
He insisted what little non-citizen voting occurs in the U.S. has not affected the outcomes of elections.
WATCH | Canadians warned to stay out of U.S. elections as arrests ramp up:
Canadians sternly warned to stay out of U.S. elections as arrests ramp up
October 21|
Duration
2:08
The U.S. embassy in Ottawa sternly warned Canadians against 'attempting to participate or influence U.S. elections in any way' ahead of the midterms. U.S. agents have ramped up arrests against non-citizen voters, including Canadians."This is likely an attempt to try to sow doubts about the election, in advance of an election in which the president and his administration might fear the voters might reject them," Becker said.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa said in a statement Canadians account for the "second highest total of prosecutions for fraudulent or illegal voting of any country."
The embassy pointedly warned "all Canadians should refrain from attempting to participate in or influence U.S. elections in any way. Americans decide America's elections."
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