Union County, NJ, Woman Charged With Illegally Voting in Federal Election
Newark, N.J. — A Union County woman who entered the United States from Ecuador on a tourist visa has been charged with illegally voting in a federal election, including a primary in which candidates for President and Vice President were on the ballot.
Federal Agencies Investigated Alleged Illegal Voting
Federal authorities said 41-year-old Mercedes Alexandra Cardoso, who was registered to vote online through the New Jersey Division of Elections system, falsely certified on her registration form that she was a U.S. citizen. She was not. Cardoso cast a ballot in the June 2024 primary election while still a non-citizen on a B-2 visa.
She has been charged with Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election and is scheduled for an initial appearance in Newark federal court on September 8th.
If convicted, she faces up to one year in federal prison.
Frazer Speaks
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said in a statement, "Government has a responsibility to the people to safeguard elections. Even one illegal vote is one too many. Here in New Jersey, the federal government is taking this responsibility seriously and violations of federal election law will be investigated and prosecuted to preserve the integrity of our democracy and ensure that no citizens’ votes are diluted."
The case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for WPUR Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com.
