Canadian Citizen Admits to Falsely Claiming U.S. Citizenship to Vote in Elections
A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to two counts of making false claims about his citizenship status on voter registration applications in North Carolina. According to the Department of Justice, Denis Bouchard, 70, falsely certified that he was a United States citizen in order to vote in the 2022 and 2024 elections, which included the 2024 presidential election.
Long-Term U.S. Resident Without Citizenship
Court documents cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina reveal that Bouchard has lived in the United States since the 1960s but never obtained American citizenship. Despite his decades-long residence, he remained a Canadian citizen throughout this period.
"This shows that our elections remain under attack from aliens," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, who was sworn into his position last August. "We will not tolerate noncitizens lying to illegally vote here in North Carolina. Every eligible citizen should have confidence that an alien voting illegally will get sniffed out and prosecuted."
Prosecutors Emphasize Election Integrity
Boyle emphasized the importance of each vote in elections, noting that "every single vote counts because the difference between winning and losing can come down to two votes." He referenced a recent sheriff's race in Rockingham County where the initial margin was just two votes, though it later widened.
Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, stated: "This case is a testament to the FBI's commitment to working with our partners in North Carolina to arrest and prosecute anyone who illegally participates in our democratic process." He added that the FBI will fully investigate any attempts to subvert upcoming elections, including those in 2026.
Potential Penalties and Ongoing Investigation
Bouchard has not yet been sentenced but faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment on each count of making false claims of citizenship. The case highlights ongoing concerns about election security and the prosecution of voter fraud.
The Department of Justice continues to investigate and prosecute cases involving false citizenship claims in voting, emphasizing that such actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process. This case serves as a warning to noncitizens who might consider similar illegal voting attempts.
