New York woman charged with voting without citizenship

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

A Syracuse woman has been charged with voting illegally despite not being a US citizen, in one of the latest arrests highlighted by the Trump administration as it pursues noncitizen voters.

Marva Cook, 66, was adopted as a toddler and believed she was a US citizen until recently. Whilst searching for her biological mother, she discovered she had a German birth certificate. Federal prosecutors say Cook held a green card for several years but nonetheless cast ballots in recent elections without having citizenship.

Cook was charged with a federal misdemeanor of voting by an alien stemming from her vote in the 2022 midterms. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted. She can also face deportation under federal law.

Reached by phone, Cook declined to discuss her criminal case or voting record. She said she was 'not thrilled' by her court appearance on Wednesday, when she was placed in shackles despite having voluntarily turned herself in hours earlier. She said she appreciated the support of community members who accompanied her to court and that 'the prayers and the support is a big part of how I will get through this'.

How it is being reported

• New York state woman charged with voting illegally says she recently learned she wasn’t a citizenA Syracuse, New York, woman has been charged with voting illegally in one of the latest arrests touted by the Trump administration as it hunts for noncitizen voters ahead of the midterm elections.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 22:00
• New York state woman charged with voting illegally says she recently learned she wasn’t a citizenA Syracuse, New York, woman has been charged with voting illegally in one of the latest arrests touted by the Trump administration as it hunts for noncitizen voters ahead of the midterm elections.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 22:00

In this story: Marva Cook · Syracuse · Syracuse University · Trump administration

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