Florida and Federal Agents Arrest Noncitizens for Voter Fraud

Federal agents and Florida state officials have launched a series of arrests targeting noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally. In New Jersey, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI arrested Sanata Coulibaly on September 17 for allegedly voting in three general elections. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called such fraud a serious threat to the country. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill previously noted a software error allowed approximately 6,600 foreign nationals to register in the state.

On September 24, Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, announced the arrest of 20 individuals in Palm Beach County. Sixteen of the accused are noncitizens who falsely claimed U.S. citizenship, while four are felons who voted while on probation. Most face third-degree felony charges carrying up to 10 years in prison. The arrests were executed by the Office of Election Crimes and Security, which Attorney General James Uthmeier said has arrested over 100 people since 2022.

Florida Democratic House Leader Fentrice Driskell criticized the timing of the announcement, 40 days before the midterms, as voter intimidation. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced he will leave office after November to lead the Association of State and Local Election Officials, an organization intended to export Florida's election model nationwide. Florida will also implement the SAVE Act on January 1, 2027, requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration.