AKRON, Ohio — In a significant move ahead of the November presidential election, Ohio’s secretary of state and attorney general have launched investigations into alleged voter fraud, focusing on individuals suspected of voting without U.S. citizenship. This initiative aligns with a broader Republican narrative warning of potential risks posed by thousands of ineligible voters.
“The right to vote is sacred,” stated the Attorney General. “Non-U.S. citizens voting is illegal, and we will hold accountable those who violate this law.”
Despite this proactive approach, investigations have yielded a minimal number of cases. Out of 621 criminal referrals made for voter fraud by the Secretary of State, just nine indictments have been secured over the past decade for illegal voting by noncitizens — a figure that represents a mere fraction of Ohio’s 8 million registered voters. This data highlights a stark contrast between the rhetoric surrounding noncitizen voting and the actual occurrence of such instances, which remain infrequent and subject to prosecution.
Recent court hearings highlighted the stories of individuals facing charges, often reflecting long-standing community ties and misunderstandings regarding their voting eligibility. Nicholas Fontaine, a 32-year-old precision sheet metal worker from Akron, was indicted in October for illegal voting as a Canadian-born permanent resident. Fontaine indicated that he believed he was eligible to vote, an assumption he formed during his college years when he registered.
Fontaine recounted being informed by local election officials in 2016 that he could vote, stating, “I had no issues voting; I showed my ID and received my ballot without any problems.” Nevertheless, he later learned from a Department of Homeland Security official that his votes were illegal, leading him to stop voting altogether.
In another case, Fiona Allen, a 40-year-old who immigrated from Jamaica, faced charges after voting in multiple elections based on her understanding of her eligibility. Likewise, 78-year-old Lorinda Miller, an indigenous woman from Canada, believed she was eligible to vote based on documents received from her tribe.
These cases illustrate the discrepancies and complexities surrounding voting eligibility among immigrants. Experts emphasize that while the integrity of the electoral process is vital, the narrative surrounding immigrant voting often misrepresents the facts. Regular cleaning of state voter rolls and harsh penalties for illegal voting highlight the rare nature of such instances.
As the discourse surrounding voting rights continues, the situation in Ohio serves as a poignant reminder of the discussions taking place nationwide regarding voter eligibility and the challenges some face in understanding their rights within the electoral system.
