The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced charges against Akeel Abdul Jamiel, an Iraqi national who allegedly voted illegally in the November 2020 election.

Abdul Jamiel, a resident of South Glens Falls, New York, was formally charged Friday with “illegal voting by an alien.” Under federal law, foreign nationals are prohibited from registering or casting ballots in U.S. elections.

United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III delivered a stern statement alongside the charges, signaling that investigations into election integrity violations are ramping up.

“As alleged, Jamiel’s voting in the 2020 election was a callous and illegal act,” Sarcone said. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute illegal schemes aimed at corrupting the election process.”

Notably, the DOJ credited Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for assisting heavily in the investigation that led to Jamiel’s indictment — a major feather in the cap for Musk’s aggressive election security reforms.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli emphasized the stakes involved: “Election security is and will continue to be one of the FBI’s highest national security priorities. Americans have a right to expect free and fair elections, and the FBI is committed to working with our partners to seek justice for anyone trying to interfere with the democratic process.”

Adding an interesting twist to the case, Abdul Jamiel was reportedly registered under the Conservative Party line — a fact that demonstrates the DOJ’s new zero-tolerance approach regardless of political affiliation.

But how did this happen? Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner Cassandra Bagramian offered a jaw-dropping explanation: “It’s an honor system,” she admitted to the Times Union. “The voter signs an oath, so if it’s properly completed, it’s processed.”

This reliance on self-reporting raises serious concerns about the vulnerabilities in voter registration procedures — vulnerabilities that Musk’s DOGE department was specifically created to target.

This is not the first case of a foreign national illegally participating in American elections. In October, a Chinese national studying at the University of Michigan faced charges for attempting to vote illegally in the 2024 presidential election. That student was charged with both felony voter fraud and perjury.

Further reviews by the Michigan Department of State in early April uncovered at least 15 credible cases of non-citizens casting ballots during the 2024 election — a disturbing figure that raises red flags about the broader integrity of American elections.

As for Abdul Jamiel, the charge he faces is a misdemeanor, but it carries serious penalties: up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.

This case adds to growing national attention on voter fraud concerns, particularly as Trump’s administration continues to prioritize election integrity heading into the next election cycle. With the revamped DOGE and aggressive DOJ leadership, it’s clear the days of “honor system” voting may soon be over.

RedState will continue following developments in this and other election security cases as they unfold.