Illegal voting charges have been filed against two Canadian residents living in eastern Idaho who allegedly cast ballots in the 2022 general election despite not being United States citizens, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.
USCIS announced the cases on October 22, 2026, saying the agency assisted an investigation that led to the federal charges.
The cases involve Taralynn Kathleen Bosco, 48, of Rexburg, and Stanley Richard Walton, 82, of Chubbuck.
Federal prosecutors allege that each defendant voted in the 2022 general election while lacking U.S. citizenship.
The allegations concern voting in an election that included federal offices, which is generally prohibited for noncitizens under federal law.
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What prosecutors allege in the illegal voting cases
According to court records cited by federal officials, Bosco allegedly voted in the 2022 general election even though she was not a U.S. citizen.
Walton is accused in a separate case of voting in the same general election despite also not being a U.S. citizen.
The government has not alleged in the USCIS announcement that the two defendants coordinated with one another.
Each case is being handled separately in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho said the charges were filed on October 7, 2026.
The office announced the cases publicly on October 13, before USCIS issued its related release on October 22.
Both defendants are scheduled for initial court appearances on October 26, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K.
Grasham of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
Possible criminal penalties for illegal voting
Federal law makes it unlawful for an alien to vote in an election held wholly or partly to elect a candidate for president, vice president, presidential elector, the Senate, the House of Representatives, or certain other federal offices.
Such conduct is generally prohibited for noncitizens.
The statute includes limited exceptions for elections in which state or local law allows noncitizens to vote on separate nonfederal matters and the ballot process keeps those contests independent from federal races.
Under 18 U.S.C.
Section 611, a person convicted under the statute may face a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
USCIS and the Justice Department said Bosco and Walton each face a fine of up to $100,000 and as much as one year in prison if convicted of the charged offense.
The potential sentence for a conviction would be decided by a federal court after considering the charges, the evidence, applicable sentencing rules, and any other legally relevant factors.
A charge is not a conviction, and the filing of a criminal case does not establish that an offense occurred.
Why immigration status may matter in illegal voting cases
Illegal voting allegations can carry consequences beyond the criminal case when the accused person is not a U.S. citizen.
USCIS policy materials explain that unlawful voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship can affect immigration benefits, including naturalization proceedings.
Such an allegation may therefore raise separate immigration questions.
In some circumstances, voting in an election involving federal candidates may also create immigration-related removal concerns under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The specific consequences in an illegal voting case depend on the facts, including what election was involved, what the person knew, whether citizenship was falsely claimed, and whether the government can prove the required elements of an offense.
Those issues are not resolved merely because prosecutors filed charges.
Lawful permanent residents are not U.S. citizens and generally cannot vote in federal elections.
USCIS separately states that voting in federal elections is a right associated with U.S. citizenship.
People facing questions about voter registration, prior ballots, naturalization, or immigration status should obtain advice from a qualified immigration attorney rather than relying on informal guidance.
How the federal illegal voting cases will proceed
The October 26 appearances are expected to begin the formal court process for Bosco and Walton.
At an initial appearance, the court may address issues such as the defendants’ rights, release conditions, scheduling, and the next procedural steps in the charges.
The government will have to prove the illegal voting allegations beyond a reasonable doubt if either case proceeds to trial.
The defendants may challenge the allegations, the evidence, or the legal basis of the charges through the federal court process.
The public USCIS announcement does not state whether either defendant has entered a plea.
It also does not describe the specific ballot, registration record, interview, or investigative evidence that prosecutors may rely on in court.
Those details may become clearer through later court filings or proceedings.
USCIS role in the illegal voting investigation
USCIS said it assisted the investigation that resulted in the Idaho charges.
The agency did not describe every investigative step in its release.
USCIS identified its tip process as the channel for reporting suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse.
Election-related allegations may also involve other federal, state, or local agencies depending on the conduct under investigation.
The Justice Department’s Idaho announcement credited investigative work by the Idaho State Police and Homeland Security Investigations in the illegal voting charges.
The agencies’ involvement does not change the burden of proof in the criminal cases.
What noncitizens should know before registering or voting
Noncitizens should carefully review voter-registration forms and election materials before signing or submitting them.
Individuals who are not U.S. citizens generally should not register to vote in federal elections or engage in illegal voting by casting ballots in federal contests.
Some jurisdictions may permit noncitizens to vote in narrowly defined local elections, but those rules do not authorize voting in federal elections.
State and local election procedures can differ, making it important to determine exactly what office or issue appears on a ballot.
Anyone who believes they were mistakenly registered, automatically registered, or incorrectly included on a voter list should seek qualified legal guidance promptly.
That advice is especially important for people with pending naturalization applications, immigration petitions, or permanent-resident status.
People should preserve copies of registration forms, election notices, and other relevant records and should not make false statements to investigators or immigration officials.
Illegal voting charges remain allegations
USCIS emphasized that the charges against Bosco and Walton are merely allegations.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The cases will now move through the federal judicial process, beginning with the scheduled appearances on October 26, 2026.
Any later plea, dismissal, trial result, sentencing decision, or immigration action would provide additional information about the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the Idaho illegal voting cases?
Federal prosecutors charged Taralynn Kathleen Bosco, 48, of Rexburg, and Stanley Richard Walton, 82, of Chubbuck, both Canadian residents accused of voting in the 2022 general election while not being U.S. citizens.
When are the defendants scheduled to appear in court?
Bosco and Walton are scheduled for initial court appearances on October 26, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
What penalties could apply if they are convicted?
Under the charge described by USCIS and federal prosecutors, each defendant could face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.
Does being charged mean the defendants are guilty?
No. The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Can illegal voting affect immigration status?
It can create immigration or naturalization problems for noncitizens, depending on the facts and applicable law. Anyone facing such an issue should consult a qualified immigration attorney.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against the USCIS release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, the federal voting statute, and USCIS policy guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal or immigration advice.
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