A federal grand jury in Minnesota has indicted 10 foreign nationals, including a 63-year-old Ghanaian resident, Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, for allegedly participating in US elections without being citizens. According to the US Department of Justice, Edzie falsely claimed to be a US citizen to vote on October 23, 2024, and August 11, 2026. He also allegedly voted in Minnesota's August 11, 2026 primary election.
The indictment against Edzie and the other foreign nationals was issued on September 24. The defendants include nationals from Liberia, Lithuania, Germany, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. Some are accused of falsely claiming US citizenship when registering or voting, while others are charged with voting despite being non-citizens. The alleged offenses relate to the November 2022 and 2024 general elections and the August 2026 primary election.
The US Department of Justice stated that making a false claim of US citizenship to vote carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, while voting by a non-citizen carries a maximum sentence of one year. Edzie made his initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Elsa M. Bullard on September 28. The cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and are being prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota.
The DOJ stressed that an indictment is only an allegation and that all 10 defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The investigations and prosecutions aim to uphold the integrity of the US electoral process. The indictment of foreign nationals for allegedly voting in US elections highlights the importance of verifying citizenship before participating in elections.
The 10 defendants are from various countries, including four Liberian nationals, and one each from Lithuania, Germany, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The indictment of individuals from multiple countries underscores the global nature of the issue. The US authorities are taking steps to address and prevent similar cases of alleged voter fraud.
The US Attorney's Office in Minnesota is handling the prosecution of the cases. The office emphasized that protecting the integrity of the electoral process is a top priority. The indictment and prosecution of these cases demonstrate the commitment of US authorities to upholding the law and ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in elections.
The cases have raised awareness about the importance of verifying citizenship before voting. The US authorities have urged citizens and non-citizens alike to respect the electoral process and to report any suspicious activities. The indictment of the 10 foreign nationals serves as a reminder of the consequences of allegedly violating US election laws.
Key points
- A Ghanaian resident and 9 other foreign nationals have been indicted for allegedly voting in US elections without being citizens.
- The defendants face charges of falsely claiming US citizenship or voting despite being non-citizens.
- The cases aim to uphold the integrity of the US electoral process and protect the rights of eligible citizens.
