A Jamaican national has been apprehended in Florida after allegedly voting unlawfully in the 2024 presidential primary elections, despite not being a U.S. citizen. Jacqueline Dianne Wallace, aged 52, is facing federal charges for making a false citizenship declaration to register as a voter, according to interim U.S. Attorney Michelle Spaven for the Northern District of Florida.
Wallace made her initial appearance in a federal court in Tallahassee. The criminal complaint states that she entered the United States in December 2010 on a B2 tourist visa for six months but did not return to Jamaica as required. In January 2024, over a decade after her arrival, she registered to vote in federal elections using an online system that required U.S. citizenship certification, a requirement she did not meet. The fraudulent application was submitted from a community college computer network.
In August 2024, Wallace cast her vote in Florida's federal presidential primaries without possessing the necessary citizenship to participate in the electoral process. She was detained by agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and officers from the Bay County Sheriff's Office. If convicted, Wallace could face up to five years in prison and deportation from the United States.
The investigation was coordinated by HSI's Tampa Field Division and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Executive Investigations Unit on Election Crimes. Federal prosecutor Eric Welch is leading the judicial proceedings. This case is part of the federal operation "Take Back America," a national initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violence.
Authorities have not disclosed whom Jacqueline Dianne Wallace voted for in the 2024 Florida presidential primaries. Such information is protected by the secrecy of the vote, a fundamental principle of the U.S. electoral system that ensures the privacy of the ballot.
Key Questions About Illegal Voting and Immigration in the U.S.
What are the potential consequences for voting illegally in the U.S.?
Individuals found guilty of voting illegally in the U.S. can face severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and deportation if they are not U.S. citizens.
How does the U.S. government ensure the integrity of its elections?
The U.S. government employs various measures to ensure election integrity, such as voter ID laws, cybersecurity protocols, and monitoring by federal and state agencies to prevent fraud and protect voter privacy.
What is the "Take Back America" operation?
"Take Back America" is a national initiative by the Department of Justice focused on combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and safeguarding communities from violence.