FBI charges four non-citizens in New Jersey with illegal voting
FBI Director Kash Patel has intensified efforts to combat illegal voting following the indictment of four non-citizens in New Jersey. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for measures that would limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including proposals to prohibit police collaboration and permit legal action against federal agents. Retired NYPD Inspector Paul Mauro has criticized these initiatives, arguing that some may violate the Constitution and potentially dismantle vital inter-agency task forces, thereby undoing years of established law enforcement cooperation.
In a related case, federal prosecutors have charged a Canadian man residing in Massachusetts with illegally participating in multiple federal and state elections by misrepresenting his citizenship status.
Sunny Manhertz, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, allegedly registered to vote in Saugus, Massachusetts, and is accused of casting ballots in various local, state, primary, and federal elections spanning the years 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, according to the Justice Department.
Manhertz faces charges of unlawful voting by an alien and the procurement, casting, or tabulation of ballots known to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent under state law.
He appeared in federal court in Boston on Tuesday to address these charges.
Sunny Manhertz, 40, allegedly checked “Yes” on a Massachusetts registration form that asked “Are you a Citizen of the United States of America?” (Justice Department)
On March 1, 2016, Manhertz submitted a Massachusetts Official Voter Registration Form under his own name. On the form, he checked “Yes” in response to the question, “Are you a Citizen of the United States of America?” according to charging documents.
Despite his non-citizen status, he continued to represent himself as a “qualified voter” by signing nomination papers for political candidates as recently as 2026, authorities said.
Manhertz, 40, became a permanent U.S. resident in 1987 but never applied for citizenship, court documents state.
People fill out their ballots at Cathedral High School in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 8, 2022. A Canadian man living in Massachusetts admitted to illegally voting in multiple local and federal elections since 2008, the Justice Department said. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP)
On Feb. 13, 2019, he allegedly submitted an application to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to replace his permanent resident card.
In response to a question regarding his legal status, Manhertz allegedly checked the box stating that he was a “Lawful Permanent Resident.” According to Saugus records, Manhertz has voted in multiple federal elections, including the 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.Â
When questioned by investigators outside his home on May 11, Manhertz allegedly admitted to filling out the 2016 voter registration form and voting in elections since 2008.
To confirm his participation in the most recent election, authorities obtained cell site records from his cellular provider.
Voters cast ballots during early voting at the Board of Elections Loop Super Site in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 4, 2024. (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The records tracked his phone’s location, showing it “pinged” off towers near his assigned polling station on Nov. 5, 2024, prosecutors said.
Manhertz faces up to six years in prison.
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