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Illinois Lawmaker Sylvia Sims Bolton Charged with Voter Fraud

Illinois Lawmaker Sylvia Sims Bolton Charged with Voter Fraud

Sylvia Sims Bolton, an alderperson from Waukegan, Illinois, faces felony charges for allegedly casting a vote on behalf of her deceased mother. The charges include mutilation of election material and disregarding election code. The investigation began after a vote-by-mail ballot was flagged during a post-election review. Bolton is accused of filling out and submitting her late mother's ballot, despite her mother's voter registration being canceled following her death. Bolton has been released on her own recognizance and is due back in court in July.
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California Enacts Law to Protect Elections from Federal Interference

California Enacts Law to Protect Elections from Federal Interference

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law aimed at protecting the state's elections from potential federal interference. The legislation, which took effect immediately, prohibits federal agents from accessing voter rolls or election technology without a court order and restricts law enforcement from disrupting election workers except in emergencies. This move comes ahead of California's primary elections and amid concerns about potential meddling by the Trump administration. Newsom expressed concerns about President Trump's tactics, particularly in Democratic-led states, and emphasized the need to safeguard free and fair elections. The law also criminalizes the unauthorized removal of voted ballots from election officials' custody. This legislation is part of a broader effort to address election security and integrity, especially in light of past actions by federal agencies under Trump's administration.
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US Postal Service seeks to require states to submit lists of voters

US Postal Service seeks to require states to submit lists of voters

By David Shepardson and Susan Heavey WASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - The U.S.
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Arizona Attorney General Race Heats Up as GOP Rivals Debate Election Integrity

Arizona Attorney General Race Heats Up as GOP Rivals Debate Election Integrity

In the Arizona attorney general's race, two Republican candidates, Petersen and Glassman, are intensifying their campaigns with a focus on election integrity. During a recent debate, Petersen emphasized the need for timely election results, criticizing Arizona's past delays in delivering electoral votes. Glassman, on the other hand, pledged to protect election integrity by dropping pending criminal charges against individuals involved in the 2020 election controversies, including 'fake electors' and Cochise County supervisors. Both candidates criticized the current Democratic Attorney General Mayes, accusing her of misusing her budget to sue the Trump administration multiple times. Glassman highlighted that Mayes' budget was approved by both Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and Petersen, who serves as the Senate president. Despite their differences, both candidates agree on the necessity of replacing Mayes, with Glassman committing to support Petersen if he loses the primary.
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Judge Permits President Trump's Mail-In Voting Executive Order Amid Democratic Opposition

Judge Permits President Trump's Mail-In Voting Executive Order Amid Democratic Opposition

A U.S. judge has allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with an executive order that tightens rules on mail-in voting, despite opposition from the Democratic Party. The order, signed on March 31, mandates the creation of a list of confirmed U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state, using federal data to assist state election officials in verifying voter eligibility. Additionally, it requires the U.S. Postal Service to deliver ballots only to voters on each state's approved mail-in ballot list and mandates states to preserve election-related records for five years. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued that the order infringes on states' rights to regulate elections and could disenfranchise millions of voters by relying on potentially outdated federal data. However, the Justice Department contended that the lawsuit was premature as the order has not yet been implemented.
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Judge allows Trump to implement mail-in voting executive order

Judge allows Trump to implement mail-in voting executive order

By Luc Cohen May 28 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday declined to block President Donald Trump's executive tightening rules on mail-in voting in a loss for the Democratic Party, whose lawyers argued that it could disenfranchise millions of voters. 
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Federal Judge Declines to Block President Trump's Executive Order on Voting by Mail

Federal Judge Declines to Block President Trump's Executive Order on Voting by Mail

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has decided not to temporarily block President Trump's executive order aimed at restricting voting by mail. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, issued the ruling, which leaves the executive order in place for the time being. The order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to create lists of adult U.S. citizens for state election officials and mandates the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail-in ballots only to those on the lists. The decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges from Democrats, voting rights groups, and several states, who argue that the order oversteps presidential authority and infringes on state powers to regulate elections. The ruling allows the order to stand as federal agencies continue to deliberate on its implementation.
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Judge refuses to block Trump order to limit mail voting. There's no immediate effect on the midterms

Judge refuses to block Trump order to limit mail voting. There's no immediate effect on the midterms

A federal judge is declining to halt President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to create a national list of eligible voters and limit mail voting
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US Judge Declines Immediate Block on Trump's Mail-In Voting Order

US Judge Declines Immediate Block on Trump's Mail-In Voting Order

A U.S. judge has refused to immediately block President Trump's executive order that tightens rules on mail-in voting. Judge Carl Nichols ruled that the legal challenge by Democrats and civil rights groups was premature, as the order has not yet been enforced. The executive order requires the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and mandates the USPS to send mail-in ballots only to those on state-specific lists. Critics argue that the order could infringe on states' rights to set election rules and potentially disenfranchise voters. The ruling allows for future challenges if the order is implemented.
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Waukegan Alderman Charged with Casting Ballot for Deceased Mother

Waukegan Alderman Charged with Casting Ballot for Deceased Mother

Waukegan Alderman Sylvia Sims Bolton has been charged with felony mutilation of election material and disregarding the election code after allegedly casting a ballot for her deceased mother during the March primary contest. Bolton, who represents the 1st Ward, appeared in Lake County Court in Waukegan following the charges filed on May 19. The case has drawn attention as it unfolds amidst other high-profile legal matters in the region, including allegations of misconduct in a separate federal case involving a COVID-19 testing scam. Bolton's legal troubles add to the ongoing scrutiny of election integrity and the enforcement of election laws in Illinois.
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Newsom seeks to shield California elections from federal interference before Tuesday primary

Newsom seeks to shield California elections from federal interference before Tuesday primary

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that aims to shield California elections from federal interference ahead of the state's primary next week