Full Breakdown
Noncitizen Charged with Voting Violations in Minnesota
4/15/2026, 9:58:20 PM
Overview of the Incident
Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, a 39-year-old resident of Fillmore County, Minnesota, has been charged with felony counts of perjury and voting violations after allegedly casting a ballot in the 2024 election despite not being a U.S. citizen. The charges were filed on April 13, 2026, following an investigation that revealed Chaudhari registered to vote on March 12, 2023, and submitted a ballot on November 5, 2024. Authorities obtained records indicating that he was added to the voter rolls after receiving a voter registration notice, likely triggered by his acquisition of a Minnesota driver's license.
Details of the Charges
According to the criminal complaint, Chaudhari initially denied voting when questioned by investigators but later admitted to making a mistake and confirmed his non-citizen status. He stated that he only learned he was ineligible to vote during his green card application process. The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office reiterated that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote and emphasized the strict requirements for voter registration, which include multiple attestations of eligibility.
Official Statements & Responses
The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office noted that ineligible voting is "extremely rare," citing only 14 convictions for voting while ineligible since 2020. They highlighted the severe penalties for such violations, which can include deportation, a permanent bar on future citizenship, fines up to $10,000, and imprisonment for up to five years. The office also mentioned that automatic voter registration, effective after April 29, 2024, would require proof of U.S. citizenship for registration.
Criticism & Opposition
The case has sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers, who argue that it underscores the need for stricter voter identification laws, such as those proposed in the SAVE America Act. State Rep. Pam Altendorf criticized recent legislative changes that she believes have weakened election safeguards, including the issuance of driver's licenses to noncitizens and the mass-mailing of voter registration materials. Bill Glahn, a policy fellow at the Center of the American Experiment, expressed skepticism about the frequency of such incidents, sarcastically remarking on social media that "that thing that never ever happens happened again."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office maintains that ineligible voting is rare, the incident has raised concerns among some lawmakers and policy experts about the potential for increased errors in the voting system due to recent legislative changes. Critics argue that these changes may have made the electoral process more vulnerable to noncitizen participation.
What's Next
Chaudhari is scheduled to make his first court appearance on May 18, 2026, as the legal proceedings unfold regarding his alleged voting violations. The outcome of this case may influence ongoing discussions about voter identification laws and election integrity in Minnesota.
