NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County woman was charged in a criminal complaint with illegally voting in a federal election, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today.

“The integrity of our elections, which are fundamental to democracy, should be of utmost importance to every American,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “It is a cherished right for eligible American citizens, and only eligible American citizens, to vote for their representatives in government. Election fraud is a serious crime, and it is the duty of the Department of Justice to treat it as such.”

“Government has a responsibility to the people to safeguard elections,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey. “Even one illegal vote is one too many. Here in New Jersey, the federal government is taking this responsibility seriously and violations of federal election law will be investigated and prosecuted to preserve the integrity of our democracy and ensure that no citizens’ votes are diluted.”

According to the criminal complaint, Mercedes Alexandra Cardoso, 41, of Union County was a non-citizen when she registered online via the New Jersey Division of Elections Online Voter Registration System.  On her voter registration form she falsely certified and attested that she was a United States citizen.  In order to register to vote and vote in federal elections, a person must be a United States citizen.  

According to the criminal complaint, Cardoso cast a ballot in June 2024 primary election.  That primary included candidates who were vying for election for the office of President and Vice President of the United States.  At the time she cast her ballot, Cardoso, who entered the United States from Ecuador on a B-2 visa, was not a United States citizen and was therefore not authorized to vote in federal elections.

Cardoso was charged with Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 611.  She is scheduled to have an initial appearance on September 8, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court.  If convicted of voting by an illegal alien, Cardoso faces a maximum sentence of 1 year’s imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy; and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the investigation.

The case was brought under the United States Attorney’s Office’s Election Integrity Task Force, a coalition of federal law enforcement partners focused on preserving and protecting the integrity of elections conducted in the District of New Jersey.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty