Indian National Indicted for False Claim of U.S. Citizenship to Vote in 2024 Election

<p>Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, an Indian national, has been federally indicted by a grand jury in Minnesota for allegedly making a false claim of U.S. citizenship to vote in the 2024 general election. This indictment has drawn attention online and from experts.</p><p>According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Chaudhari falsely claimed U.S. citizenship by signing a voter signature certificate required under state law and voting on November 5, 2024. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated, "The right to vote is a sacred privilege of American citizenship, and every lawful voter deserves an election system in which that right is protected." She emphasized that the DOJ will hold accountable those who make false claims of citizenship to vote.</p><p>Dhillon noted in a post on X that the DOJ has "indicted or convicted 67 individuals for election-related crimes." Earlier reports indicated that Chaudhari, 39, was facing state charges for perjury and voting violations. Initially, he denied voting when questioned by authorities but later admitted to voting, stating he "made a mistake" and confirmed he is not a U.S. citizen.</p><p>Investigators reported that Chaudhari received a voter registration notice from Minnesota, likely triggered after obtaining his driver’s license. He claimed he was unaware that he should not have voted until informed by his lawyer during his green card process.</p><p>Chad Ennis, Vice President of the Honest Elections Project, commented on the indictment, stating, "Once again, DOJ is proving that if you look for election fraud, you find election fraud." He criticized claims from some Democrats that election fraud does not occur.</p><p>News of the indictment circulated on social media, with some users noting that many elected Democrats have downplayed voter fraud. Bill Glahn from the Center for the American Experiment remarked on X about the contradiction between the indictment and claims of non-existent voter fraud.</p><p>Political commentator Eric Daugherty also expressed concerns about Minnesota's voting system, calling it a "hotbed for fraud." Glahn previously discussed issues with Minnesota’s voting system, including the ability for registered voters to vouch for multiple others during same-day registration without ID.</p><p>The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State reiterated that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote and that ineligible voting is "extremely rare." They stated that individuals completing a voter registration application must attest to their eligibility, and penalties for voting while ineligible can include deportation, a permanent bar on future citizenship, fines up to $10,000, and up to five years in prison.</p><p>If convicted, Chaudhari faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each of the two counts against him.</p>