The U.S. Attorney’s Office says two Canadians have been charged with illegally voting in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections.
One of the Canadians is accused of having falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when registering to vote, according to a Thursday press release posted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Both Canadians lived in Wisconsin and voted in their respective cities, the press release said.
Monique Gignac-Yochum, 60, a Canadian citizen who used to live in Hayward, was charged with voting in elections for both years.
The press release states that she voted on Nov. 8, 2022, and Nov. 5, 2024. The U.S. midterm elections were held in 2022, while 2024 was a presidential election year.
Gignac-Yochum could face up to one year in prison, if convicted, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Rodger Dedrick, 66, who lives in Stoughton, has also been charged with voting on Nov. 5, 2024, and for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship when registering to vote on Aug. 13, 2024.
If convicted, Dedrick faces up to five years in prison for the false registration charge and up to one year in prison for the illegal voting charge.
Both defendants made their first appearance in federal court this week and were released pending further proceedings.
Gignac-Yochum and Dedrick are the latest in a growing list of Canadians accused of illegally participating in U.S. elections, in a crackdown on non-citizen voters by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an individual could face up to a year in prison and a US$100,000 fine for illegally voting. Falsely claiming U.S. citizenship could lead to up to five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine.
Here’s a look at other Canadians who have been accused of voting illegally in the U.S., broken down by the state where the charges were laid. All of them are listed as having U.S. permanent residency.
North Carolina
A 58-year-old man was charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered in 2022 and voted in the 2024 election. He lives in New Hanover County.
A 69-year-old man was charged with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered in 1998 and voted in 2024, 2016, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, and general elections.
California
A 63-year-old man allegedly registered in December 2018, lied in his naturalization application in January 2024 then voted in the 2024 U.S. election. He faces felony charges, including false statements in a naturalization application.
A 31-year-old woman allegedly falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and registered to vote. She voted in the 2024 election and was charged with making false statements during her naturalization interview, during which she denied ever claiming U.S. citizenship and misrepresented her voting history. She has been charged with false claim to citizenship to vote, unlawful attempted procurement of naturalization, and false statement under oath in matter relating to naturalization or citizenship.
Florida
A 69-year-old woman was charged by indictment with making a false statement claiming U.S. citizenship to vote and illegal voting by an alien. She allegedly registered in 2021 and voted in the 2022 federal general election.
A 55-year-old woman was charged by information for illegal voting by an alien. She allegedly voted in the 2022 and 2024 general elections.
A 75-year-old was charged by information with three counts by voting by an alien. She voted in the 2024, and 2022 general and primary elections.
Also, a 64-year-old man and 57-year-old woman were both charged with voting by an alien. It’s unclear which election years they participated in.
Idaho
A 48-year-old woman allegedly voted in the 2022 general election and has been charged with illegal voting by an alien.
A 82-year-old man has been charged with unlawfully voting in the 2022 general election.
Kentucky
A 59-year-old woman has been charged with illegal voting by an alien in a federal election. It’s unclear which election year she participated in.
Minnesota
A 47-year-old man has been charged with one count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He allegedly voted illegally and falsely claimed citizenship to vote in 2024.
