Eliezer Kadoch, 39, a French citizen residing in Toms River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty Friday to voting by an alien in a federal election in connection with his participation in the Nov. 8, 2022 federal midterm elections. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey as part of its Election Integrity Task Force.
Kadoch admitted to casting a ballot during an election that included seats for the U.S. House of Representatives despite having never held U.S. citizenship, according to court documents. His attorney, Yosef Jacobovitch, told Fox News Digital that Kadoch "mistakenly believed" he was legally permitted to vote after being automatically registered when he obtained his New Jersey driver's license.
"Mr. Kadoch accepted responsibility for his actions," Jacobovitch said in a statement. "There was never any intent to violate the law or cast an unlawful ballot. Unfortunately, the offense to which he pleaded guilty does not require proof of criminal intent, and he now fully understands that."
Kadoch faces up to six months in federal prison and a $100,000 fine under federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 611, which prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 26 before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Brandon Day in Trenton federal court.
The case was brought by the United States Attorney's Office's Election Integrity Task Force, a coalition of federal law enforcement partners dedicated to preserving and protecting election integrity in New Jersey. The investigation involved special agents from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative groups and election security proponents say the case underscores the need for stricter verification measures to ensure only eligible citizens cast ballots. The America First Police Institute (AFPI) reported that issuing driver's licenses to noncitizens, combined with automatic voter registration, can result in ineligible individuals being added to voter rolls.
AFPI noted that numerous states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia have investigated the issue and identified noncitizens on their voter rolls. The organization has drafted model legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote and implementing audit requirements to prevent noncitizens from appearing on election rolls.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer, who leads the Election Integrity Task Force, emphasized that protecting the integrity of elections remains a priority for federal prosecutors. Supporters argue that ignorance of the law is not a defense and that clear rules exist regarding voter eligibility regardless of how someone was registered.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates argue that cases like Kadoch's highlight systemic flaws rather than intentional fraud. They contend that automatic voter registration systems, which were designed to increase eligible voter participation and reduce administrative errors, should be fixed through better coordination between motor vehicle agencies and election officials rather than being used as evidence of widespread problems.
Civil rights organizations have long supported automatic voter registration as a way to expand access to democracy for eligible citizens. They note that the vast majority of noncitizens do not attempt to vote, and that enforcement efforts disproportionately target individuals who may have made good-faith errors based on confusing bureaucratic processes.
Immigration advocates emphasize that legal permanent residents and visa holders often face complex and unclear rules about their eligibility to participate in elections at various levels of government. They argue for clearer communication from election officials about voting rights rather than criminal prosecution of confused voters.
What the Numbers Show
Federal law 18 U.S.C. § 611 makes it a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and $100,000 fine for a noncitizen to vote in a federal election, though prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of up to six months in Kadoch's case.
The District of New Jersey has charged four noncitizens with illegally voting in the 2020, 2022 and 2024 federal elections as part of its Election Integrity Task Force. The task force is a coalition involving the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
According to AFPI research cited in reporting on this case, at least 13 states have conducted reviews identifying noncitizens on their voter rolls in recent years. The exact number of individuals affected varies by state and methodology used for identification.
Kadoch's immigration status was not publicly released by federal prosecutors. His guilty plea marks the resolution of one of four cases currently being prosecuted by New Jersey federal authorities against noncitizens accused of voting illegally.
The Bottom Line
This case represents one of several prosecutions brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey as part of its focused effort on election integrity in the state. Kadoch is scheduled for sentencing in October, where a judge will determine his final punishment within the agreed-upon parameters.
The broader policy debate centers on how to balance automatic voter registration systems designed to increase participation among eligible citizens with safeguards to ensure only those legally entitled to vote are added to rolls. Critics of current systems argue that coordination between motor vehicle agencies and election officials creates opportunities for ineligible individuals to be registered, while supporters say such cases remain rare relative to the millions of legitimate votes cast.
What to watch: Whether Kadoch's sentencing produces any additional guidance on how courts handle noncitizen voting cases where defendants claim no fraudulent intent. Also monitor whether state legislatures pursue AFPI-style model bills requiring proof of citizenship documentation for voter registration.