Federal authorities took a person into custody after the individual, a national of India, allegedly provided false information about citizenship status to cast a ballot in Minnesota during the 2024 general election, according to a Friday announcement from the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal charges have been filed against Chaudhari, alleging that he submitted false information at the ballot box and misrepresented his citizenship status when registering or taking part in an election. The DHS indicated that the case traces back to November 5, 2024, when Chaudhari is said to have signed a voter certificate required under Minnesota's election statutes. His signature on the form served as a declaration of US citizenship, a status that federal election rules require of all participants.
Prosecutors at the federal level contend that Chaudhari lacked US citizenship when he cast his ballot, having filed a declaration they describe as deliberately false. Two charges tied to the alleged election violations appear in the indictment, with the Department of Homeland Security noting that a conviction on each count would carry a potential prison term of up to five years. Together, the counts carry a statutory ceiling of ten years' imprisonment when served consecutively, though the court retains full authority over whatever penalty is ultimately handed down.
Homeland Security Investigations — the DHS unit responsible for federal criminal probes — indicated it would continue pursuing cases tied to alleged federal election law violations. Special Agent Travis Pickard noted that casting a ballot through a false citizenship claim constitutes a federal offense and that the agency holds both the mandate and the tools to handle such investigations. Pickard stated that coordination with law enforcement partners on safeguarding the integrity of election systems would continue.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin put foreign nationals on notice that taking part in US elections without legal authorisation could result in arrest, criminal prosecution, and removal from the country, adding in a statement that those who cast ballots unlawfully would be located, taken into custody, and held to account under applicable law.
Federal law bars people who are not citizens from casting ballots in national elections, and anyone who falsely claims citizenship to get onto the voter rolls or to vote faces the possibility of criminal charges.
No court ruling has yet been made on the charges facing Chaudhari. Charges of that nature — an arrest followed by a formal indictment — carry no determination of guilt on their own. No details about Chaudhari's immigration status or any plea entered were included in the DHS release.
