Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Attorney General James Uthmeier, announced the arrest of 20 individuals in Palm Beach County for alleged voter fraud. The disclosure came 40 days ahead of the midterm elections. According to the officials, 16 of the suspects were non-citizens who falsely claimed U.S. citizenship, while the other four were convicted of felonies yet registered to vote and cast ballots while on probation.
Each charge carries a third-degree felony classification. A conviction on the charges could send 18 defendants to state prison for as many as 10 years, while two others could receive slightly longer sentences. Florida statewide prosecutor Brad McVay stated that the investigation spanned the previous two months and that 12 of the 20 individuals were already in custody at the time of the announcement.
McVay indicated that further arrests are expected.
Uthmeier called the election crimes “some of the most dangerous in our country,” saying illegal votes cancel out the votes of others. He cited data from the Office of Election Crimes, stating that more than 100 individuals have been taken into custody for similar offenses since the office began reviewing alleged violations in 2022.
Critics questioned the timing of the announcement. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research and a former Justice Department trial attorney, said he was troubled by the timing. He said the Justice Department's practice has been not to bring such claims close to an election “because of the possibility that it could influence an election.”
Fentrice Driskell, the Florida Democratic House Leader, said the timing “reeks of voter intimidation, especially now that mail-in ballots are going out.” In the same statement, she asked when Floridians would see accountability over Hope Florida, saying state officials had abused $10 million in taxpayer money for political purposes.
The DeSantis administration made a similar announcement before an earlier election. In 2022, the governor addressed reporters five days before the August primary to announce 20 arrests for voter fraud, some of which were later dismissed.
