Justice Department indicts ten noncitizens for illegal voting in North Carolina

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted ten noncitizens on Oct. 17, 2026 for illegally casting ballots in North Carolina state and federal elections, and one of the defendants was residing in the United States without legal status.

The indictments arrive weeks before the 2026 elections, signaling intensified federal enforcement of voting statutes and immigration rules. Prosecutors say the case demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding election integrity while upholding the law.

U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina told reporters that the ten individuals face charges for violating federal voting laws, and that one defendant was living in the country illegally.

"One of the noncitizens allegedly voted in eight elections across two decades, and another allegedly voted in six elections," the outlet reported. "Four of the 10 allegedly voted in multiple elections."

The indictment alleges that several of the accused repeatedly participated in elections over many years, with at least one individual allegedly voting in eight separate contests and another in six. Four of the ten are accused of voting in multiple elections, according to the report.

The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are pursuing the case as part of a broader effort to deter noncitizen voting ahead of upcoming polls. Officials emphasized that the federal government will continue to monitor and prosecute violations of election law, particularly as voters head to the polls later this year.

The defendants will appear before a federal magistrate in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where the case will move forward through the criminal justice system. Prosecutors indicated that the charges could result in significant penalties if the defendants are convicted.