Illinois Official Charged With Election Fraud Involving Deceased Mother’s Ballot

Bob Grogan, the Illinois GOP Chairman, urged a Democratic official in Waukegan to resign over accusations of election fraud. The official, Sylvia Sims Bolton, reportedly submitted a mail ballot in her deceased mother’s name during a primary election, prompting broader concerns among conservatives about mail-in voting.

Details of the Accusation

Bolton, who serves as a Waukegan alderman, surrendered to authorities following allegations of submitting a vote-by-mail ballot for her late mother, Mary Sims. This ballot was part of mail ballots distributed by the Lake County Clerk’s Office in February. However, the office later canceled Mary Sims’ voter registration upon learning of her death from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Bolton allegedly dropped the ballot at an official drop box. The county’s security protocols detected the issue, showing that the death record was processed before the ballot submission. This led to an investigation by the sheriff’s office and subsequent charges filed against Bolton.

Concerns From Authorities

Bob Grogan likened this voter fraud to an obvious crime, yet mentioned that “more complicated” voter fraud cases remain undetected. Jason Snead, of the Honest Elections Project, stated that mail ballots need strict security. He emphasized that such cases highlight the necessity of maintaining accurate voter rolls. Slow updates to these rolls might have caused this vote to count, he noted.

Lake County State’s Attorney’s office ensures that all ballot envelopes undergo thorough reviews, flagging potential irregularities. These can range from barcode issues to ballots associated with canceled registrations.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

Bolton, representing Waukegan’s Ward 1, faces one count of Mutilation of Election Material, a Class 4 felony, and one count of Disregarding Election Code, a misdemeanor. If convicted of the felony, she might face a sentence between one to three years or receive probation. Additionally, she could face a five-year employment ban post-sentence.

The law enforcement investigation found no link between Bolton’s actions and her city duties. Officials confirmed the uniqueness of this case, not connecting it with previous mail-in ballot fraud involving deceased individuals.

Statements from the Authorities

“This case highlights the need for a well-funded, independent Clerk’s office using advanced technology to detect and report crimes,” stated State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. Rinehart praised Clerk Vega for following best practices, ensuring that those attempting to vote improperly can be caught and prosecuted efficiently.