A Nigerian woman living in Massachusetts as a lawful permanent resident has been charged with allegedly voting in two federal elections despite not being a U.S. citizen. Federal prosecutors say Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, falsely certified her citizenship status on voter registration documents. The alleged votes were cast in the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential primary. Okafor is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Wednesday.
| 1) | The federal charges |
| 2) | The alleged registration statements |
| 3) | The elections identified by prosecutors |
| 4) | Immigration status and potential penalties |
| 5) | Broader federal election investigations |
The federal charges
The Justice Department has charged Gladys Adaeze Okafor with unlawfully voting as an alien. Prosecutors allege that she cast ballots in federal elections while knowing that she was not eligible to vote as a noncitizen. The case was brought in federal court, and Okafor is expected to appear in Boston on Wednesday following the announcement of the charge.
The allegation concerns conduct in Massachusetts and focuses on whether Okafor knowingly misrepresented her citizenship in order to register and vote. The charge remains an allegation, and the court proceedings will determine the facts and any applicable legal consequences.
The alleged registration statements
According to federal prosecutors, Okafor submitted a voter registration card in July 2022 and signed a certification stating that she was a U.S. citizen. The City of Lynn then registered her to vote. Prosecutors say the certification was made under penalty of perjury.
In October 2023, authorities allege that Okafor submitted another voter registration card and again checked a box indicating that she was an American citizen. Prosecutors say these documents provided the basis for her access to the ballot and form part of the case against her.
The elections identified by prosecutors
Court documents identify two elections in which Okafor allegedly voted. Prosecutors say she cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm elections and later voted in the 2024 presidential primary election.
The alleged voting occurred after the registration documents were submitted. Federal authorities contend that the votes were unlawful because Okafor was not a U.S. citizen. The case therefore centers both on the registration certifications and on the subsequent ballots.
Immigration status and potential penalties
Okafor was born in Nigeria and lives in Massachusetts as a lawful permanent resident, authorities said. She obtained permanent resident status in December 2022. Prosecutors say she is not a U.S. citizen and has not applied for U.S. citizenship.
If convicted, she could face up to one year in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000. The possible penalties relate to the federal allegation of voting unlawfully as a noncitizen. The court will determine whether the government proves the charge beyond the applicable legal standard.
Broader federal election investigations
The case is part of a wider series of federal investigations involving alleged noncitizen voting and fraudulent voter registrations. Earlier in September, seven noncitizens were indicted in Texas in connection with an election integrity investigation.
Federal prosecutors also charged five people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wisconsin in cases involving alleged illegal voting or fraudulent registration during the 2022 or 2024 elections. Those cases, like the Massachusetts prosecution, concern allegations that individuals misrepresented their eligibility or otherwise participated unlawfully in elections.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Okafor is charged with unlawfully voting as a noncitizen. |
| 2 | Prosecutors allege that she falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on two voter registration cards. |
| 3 | The alleged votes were cast in the 2022 midterms and the 2024 presidential primary. |
| 4 | She could face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. |
Summary
Federal prosecutors accuse a Massachusetts permanent resident of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register and vote in two federal elections. The allegations involve registration documents filed in 2022 and 2023 and ballots cast in the 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential primary. Okafor’s court appearance and subsequent proceedings will determine how the case advances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been charged?
Gladys Adaeze Okafor, a 56-year-old Nigerian citizen and Massachusetts lawful permanent resident, has been charged with unlawfully voting as a noncitizen.
What voting activity is alleged?
Prosecutors allege that Okafor voted in the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential primary after falsely certifying that she was a U.S. citizen.
What penalties could apply?
A conviction could result in up to one year in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000, according to the charge described by federal prosecutors.