Immigrant Arrested for Illegal Voting Adds Fuel to NJ Governor's Feud With Federal Authorities
The case of a Senegalese national accused of voting in multiple New Jersey elections escalates ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement and election integrity.
Federal authorities have arrested a Senegalese immigrant in New Jersey on charges of illegally voting in multiple elections, intensifying existing conflicts between Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement and election integrity.
The arrest of Sanata Coulibaly by Homeland Security Investigations and FBI agents in Hudson County marks a new development in the ongoing disputes between Washington and Trenton regarding immigration policies and election administration.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Coulibaly, an alien from Senegal, has been charged with unlawfully procuring citizenship or naturalization and voting as an alien. He further alleged that Coulibaly voted in three general elections in New Jersey. "Sanctuary politicians can try to claim that this kind of voter fraud isn’t happening, but it’s very real and is a serious threat to our country," Mullin said.
The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating software errors in New Jersey's motor vehicle system that led to the registration of approximately 6,600 non-citizens. Governor Sherrill acknowledged in July that fewer than 400 of these newly registered non-citizens had cast ballots in state elections under the previous administration. The state has resisted federal demands to provide voter rolls while conducting its own inquiry.
According to the criminal complaint, Coulibaly allegedly cast ballots in the November 2018 midterm election, the July 2020 primary, the November 2020 general election, and the 2024 general election. She reportedly registered through a paper application, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Coulibaly entered the U.S. from Senegal on a B-1 nonimmigrant visa around 1993 and later obtained lawful permanent resident status. Prosecutors claim she falsely stated on her N-400 naturalization application that she had never registered to vote or voted in a federal election.
This case is part of a broader federal effort focused on election integrity. The Justice Department has announced election-related charges against 16 individuals in several states this month. The Department of Homeland Security has also warned that up to 35,000 non-citizens may remain registered on New Jersey's voter rolls, stemming from the software issue.