A 30-year-old Bosnian national living in Clifton Park, New York, is among five lawful permanent residents facing federal charges for allegedly voting in U.S. elections despite not being American citizens.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on October 16, 2026, that Suad Sasic, 30, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was among five foreign nationals charged with illegally voting in federal elections in northern New York.
Sasic, who lives in Clifton Park near Albany, holds lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card.
According to federal prosecutors, the five defendants appeared on charges on October 13 and 14.
Five Green Card Holders Face Charges
In addition to Sasic, the defendants include:
- Vikki Bradt, 51, a British national from Ballston Spa.
- Samantha Merkle, 55, a British national from Glens Falls.
- Jacques Patry, 64, a Canadian national from Tupper Lake.
- Paula Stitt, 57, a Canadian national from Albany.
All five are lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Federal prosecutors allege that the defendants knowingly voted in elections involving candidates for president, vice president, the U.S. Senate, or the House of Representatives, despite knowing they were not American citizens.
The Justice Department did not specify which elections were involved or explain how the alleged violations were discovered.
What Does Federal Law Say?
Under federal law, noncitizens are generally prohibited from voting in elections for federal office, even if they have lived legally in the United States for many years.
A green card allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the country, but it does not grant voting rights in federal elections.
A conviction for unlawful voting by a noncitizen can carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Such violations may also have serious immigration consequences, potentially affecting an individual’s ability to obtain U.S. citizenship or maintain lawful permanent resident status.
Part of a Broader Federal Announcement
The New York cases are part of a larger Justice Department announcement involving 16 foreign nationals charged with election-related offenses in New York, North Carolina, and Idaho.
The announcement comes ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, when voters will choose representatives to serve in Congress.
Federal officials emphasized the importance of enforcing election laws and protecting public confidence in the electoral process.
However, the charges are allegations, not convictions. All five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Justice Department has not publicly established whether the defendants registered to vote independently, received assistance during registration, or were mistakenly entered into voter registration systems.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office – Northern District of New York | U.S. Department of Justice – October 16, 2026
By NJ RADAR Team