A 55-year-old woman from Bridgewater, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to illegally voting in the November 2024 presidential election despite not being a U.S. citizen, federal prosecutors announced Monday, October 19.
Gaye Tyndale-Simpson, a Jamaican citizen residing in Somerset County, admitted to one count of voting by a noncitizen in a federal election during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh in Trenton.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Tyndale-Simpson has never held American citizenship.
Admitted Voting in the Presidential Election
Federal prosecutors said Tyndale-Simpson participated in the November 2024 general election, which included voting for president of the United States.
The Justice Department did not specify which presidential candidate she voted for or explain how she initially became registered to vote.
Under federal law, only U.S. citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections. Lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders, are also prohibited from voting in these elections.
Possible Prison Sentence and Fine
Tyndale-Simpson faces a maximum penalty of six months in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Her sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2027, before Judge Singh.
The final sentence will be determined by the court.
Federal Agencies Investigated the Case
The investigation involved several federal agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The case was brought under the U.S. Attorney’s Office Election Integrity Task Force, which investigates violations of federal election laws in New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced the guilty plea on October 19.
Election Enforcement Ahead of November Vote
The announcement comes just two weeks before the November 3, 2026, congressional elections, as federal authorities continue investigating allegations of unlawful voter registration and voting by noncitizens in several states.
Unlike cases involving individuals who have only been charged, Tyndale-Simpson has formally admitted guilt in federal court.
Her case is one of several election-related prosecutions announced in New Jersey in recent weeks.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, October 19, 2026 | Bridgewater Patch
By NJ RADAR Team