Full Breakdown
Canadian Permanent Resident Charged with Illegal Voting
5/21/2026, 9:44:25 PM
Alleged Illegal Voting
Sunny Manhertz, a 40-year-old Canadian who has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 1987, was indicted on May 20, 2026 in Boston federal court on one count of unlawful voting by an alien and one count of casting a ballot known to be false. Prosecutors allege he voted in the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 federal elections and in the 2024 Democratic primary.
Legal Context
Federal law permits only U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections; lawful permanent residents are barred. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing voter rolls in several Massachusetts towns to identify non-citizens who may have registered or voted.
Key actors
Sunny Manhertz, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DHS and federal prosecutors.
Timeline
- 1987 – Became a lawful permanent resident; 2008 – First alleged federal vote.
- Mar 2016 – Registered to vote, falsely checking “Yes” for citizenship; 2019 – Filed I-90 green-card replacement.
- 2024 – Cast ballot in November federal election (cell-site data confirm presence at polling place).
- May 20 2026 – Appeared in Boston federal court; next hearing set for June 3 2026.
Penalties & Statistics
Manhertz faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for fraudulent-ballot count, and up to one year and a $100,000 fine for unlawful voting by an alien. The Heritage Foundation lists 383 false-voter-registration cases from 1982-2025, underscoring the rarity of documented voter fraud.
Impact
The indictment coincides with DHS’s intensified review of Massachusetts voter rolls, fueling debate over election security and non-citizen voting.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Manhertz “is charged with unlawful voting by aliens and casting a ballot known to be false.” A DHS affidavit asserted probable cause that Manhertz “knowingly and willfully deprived and defrauded the residents of Massachusetts of a fair and impartially conducted election process.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts point out that documented non-citizen voter fraud cases are scarce, arguing that isolated incidents like Manhertz’s should not be taken as evidence of systemic abuse. The Heritage Foundation’s tally of 383 false registrations underscores the overall rarity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sunny Manhertz, 40, who is a legal US resident, is charged with one count of unlawful voting by alients and one count of casting a ballot known to be false, prosecutors said in a press release.” — U.S. Attorney’s Office, press release
- “Manhertz signed under penalties of perjury he was a United States citizen,” — Prosecutors, indictment filing
- “and knowingly and willfully deprived and defrauded the residents of Massachusetts of a fair and impartially conducted election process.” — DHS affidavit
- “Manhertz, who was born in Canada, has been a lawful permanent resident in the United States since 1987, the court document states.” — Court documents
What’s Next
Manhertz is scheduled for a June 3, 2026 hearing; if convicted, sentencing will follow the statutory maximums. DHS’s voter-roll audit continues, potentially prompting further investigations.
