Federal prosecutors in New Jersey have charged four lawful permanent residents with allegedly voting in U.S. federal elections and later denying those actions during their applications for citizenship, authorities said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced that the individuals: David Neewilly, 73; Jacenth Beadle Exum, 70; Idan Choresh, 43; and Abhinandan Vig, 33, are accused of registering to vote by falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens. Each is also alleged to have made false statements under oath during the naturalization process.
Alleged Voting in Federal Elections
According to prosecutors, the four defendants cast ballots in multiple federal elections despite not being eligible to do so. Neewilly is accused of voting in both the 2020 and 2024 general elections, which included presidential races.
Beadle Exum and Vig allegedly voted in the 2020 general election, while Choresh is accused of voting in the 2022 midterm election, which included contests for the House of Representatives.
Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections. Lawful permanent residents, often referred to as green card holders, are allowed to live and work in the United States but do not have the right to vote in federal contests.
Court records show that Neewilly made his initial appearance in federal court on April 22. The remaining three defendants: Choresh, Vig, and Beadle Exum, appeared in court on May 1.
False Statements in Naturalization Process
In addition to the voting charges, prosecutors allege that all four individuals falsely denied ever having registered to vote or participated in elections when applying for U.S. citizenship.
Applicants for naturalization are required to answer questions about their voting history under penalty of perjury. Authorities say the defendants each indicated that they had not engaged in any voting activity, despite evidence to the contrary.
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Federal law treats false statements in the naturalization process as a serious offense. Convictions can carry significant penalties, including fines and prison sentences. Illegal voting in federal elections is punishable by up to 1 year in prison, while making false statements to obtain citizenship can result in a longer sentence.
Legal Framework and Broader Context
While non-citizens are barred from voting in federal elections, some local jurisdictions in the United States allow limited participation by non-citizens in local elections.
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, jurisdictions such as Washington, D.C., and certain municipalities in California, Vermont, and Maryland have enacted such policies.
However, these local exceptions do not apply to federal elections, where citizenship remains a strict requirement.
Political Debate Over Voting Laws
The charges come as lawmakers continue to debate changes to federal voting requirements. Earlier this year, members of Congress introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandate photo identification at polling stations.
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President Donald Trump has urged Congress to pass the legislation, arguing that stricter requirements are necessary to protect election integrity. He has cited polling data suggesting broad public support for voter identification measures.
Democratic lawmakers, however, have raised concerns that such requirements could make it harder for eligible voters to cast ballots, arguing that the focus should remain on expanding access to the electoral process.
The bill faces procedural hurdles in the Senate, where it may require bipartisan support to advance.
Why This Matters
The New Jersey case adds to ongoing national debates about election security and the integrity of the U.S. voting system. While instances of non-citizen voting are rare, prosecutions like this can influence public perception and political discourse.
The charges may also play a role in shaping future policy discussions, particularly as lawmakers consider changes to voter registration and identification requirements.
