Justice Department Charges 18 More in North Carolina With Illegally Voting in 2024 Election

What happened

The Justice Department announced on Thursday that 18 noncitizens in North Carolina, one of them described as an illegal alien, have been charged with voting illegally ^[1]. Nine cases came in the Eastern District, five in the Middle District and four in the Western District ^[1]. Added to 12 people charged earlier in the Eastern District, the department puts the statewide total at 30 indicted this year ^[1]. These are accusations only: the department notes every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt ^[1].

How it affects Americans

Federal law reserves voting in national elections to citizens, and prosecutors argue each improper ballot dilutes a legitimate one ^[1]. "Every unlawful ballot silences the voice of a lawful voter, striking at the core of our great nation," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle of the Eastern District ^[1]. Russ Ferguson, the top federal prosecutor for the Western District, pointed to razor-thin local margins, noting that in the 2025 municipal elections "there were 14 races decided by 2 votes; 15 races decided by 1 vote; and 7 races that were tied" ^[1]. Boyle framed the cases as a warning "ahead of the 2026 election" ^[1].

The Veil Press view

Confidence in elections rests on knowing that only eligible voters take part, and enforcement of existing law is part of that ^[1]. "If you're not an American citizen, you cannot vote in our federal elections," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter ^[1]. Dan Bishop, who leads the Middle District office, said the charges "serve notice that those who violate our election laws, including non-citizens who register and vote, will be investigated and prosecuted" ^[1]. Courts, not press releases, will decide whether each accusation holds up ^[1].

What we know

Confirmed

• Most defendants are described as lawful permanent residents, from countries including Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba, Nigeria and the United Kingdom ^[1].
• In the Eastern District, prosecutors allege all nine falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to register and vote in the 2024 general election ^[1].
• Two people, one in the Middle District and one in the Western District, were charged by information rather than indictment, with voting by an alien ^[1].
• Falsely claiming citizenship to vote carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; voting by an alien carries up to one year and a $100,000 fine ^[1].
• The FBI and HSI are investigating, and the three district offices are prosecuting ^[1].

Still being reported

• Court dates, pleas and defense responses have not been announced ^[1].