DOJ: Five Non-Citizens Arrested for Voter Fraud Across the Northern District

• All defendants are lawful permanent residents and face up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• The charges allege the individuals knowingly voted despite not being U.S. citizens.

On October 13 and 14, 2026, five non-citizens—Vikki Bradt, Samantha Merkle, Suad Sasic, Jacques Patry, and Paula Stitt—were charged with voting by aliens in federal elections across the Northern District of New York. All are lawful permanent residents and are accused of knowingly voting in elections for federal offices.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine up to $100,000. The DOJ emphasized that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and that these actions undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

• $100,000 maximum fine

• Review voter registration controls for lawful permanent residents in the Northern District of New York.
• Assess internal procedures for detecting and reporting violations under the statute(s) cited in the DOJ complaints.
• Update staff training on the legal distinction between U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents regarding federal election eligibility.

This case highlights the importance of robust controls to prevent non-citizens from participating in federal elections, a key area of regulatory and reputational risk for financial institutions and other entities involved in election-related processes. Compliance officers must ensure that their organizations have effective mechanisms to detect and report potential violations, as enforcement actions like these demonstrate heightened scrutiny and coordination among federal agencies. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and undermine public trust in institutional integrity.