A 75-year-old Canadian woman has been federally charged with allegedly voting in three US elections while knowing she was not an American citizen.
Christiane Vinette Young, who prosecutors allege was unlawfully present in the United States, is accused of casting ballots in Lee County, Florida, during the 2022 primary election, the 2022 general election and the 2024 general election.
Canadian woman faces three voting charges
The charges were filed by information in the Middle District of Florida. Young faces three counts of voting by an alien and could receive a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison if convicted on all counts.
The US Attorney’s Office said the allegations were contained in a formal charging document and that Young is presumed innocent unless and until she is proved guilty in court.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lee County Supervisor of Elections. Assistant US Attorney Benjamin S Winter is prosecuting.
Authorities have not disclosed how Young obtained the ballots or how investigators first identified concerns about her voter registration and election activity.
No date has yet been announced for her initial appearance or for subsequent proceedings in the case.
