(5MinNewsBreak.com) – Exposing an alarming threat to election integrity, Ohio launched a crackdown on illegal voting by noncitizens.
Attorney General Dave Yost announced the indictment of six noncitizens for illegally casting votes in state elections over the past decade, including the key 2016 and 2020 elections.
The indictments stem from nearly 140 referrals Secretary of State Frank LaRose made, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect Ohio’s elections.
Of the seven cases presented to grand juries, six resulted in indictments, but one case was not pursued.
The charges mainly involve legal U.S. permanent residents who were not citizens and one noncitizen accused of voting in multiple past elections.
Attorney General Yost emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The right to vote is sacred. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it’s illegal to vote – whether you thought you were allowed to or not – you will be held accountable.”
The consequences of illegal voting are severe. Perpetrators face fourth-degree felony charges with penalties of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Although Yost reassured the public that such irregularities are rare, the fact that noncitizens were able to cast votes in multiple elections, including the crucial 2016 and 2020 ones, is deeply troubling.
Three of the defendants hail from Franklin County, which includes Columbus, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities in urban voting systems.
Ohio’s approach to election security is commendable. The state regularly updates its voter registration list and verifies citizenship status using a Department of Homeland Security database.
This earnest operation made it possible to discover these cases through a thorough audit launched earlier this year.
While some may criticize the timing of these announcements ahead of the 2024 elections, it is crucial to remember that ensuring election integrity is a year-round responsibility.
Noncitizen voting is illegal in all states except for a few local jurisdictions, and violators face not only fines and jail time but also potential deportation.
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