An Illinois city lawmaker, Alderperson Sylvia Sims Bolton, is facing a serious legal challenge. She has been accused of committing voter fraud by casting a ballot for her deceased mother. Bolton, a Democrat, serves Waukegan’s 1st Ward and appeared in court in Lake County on Wednesday. She faces a felony charge for mutilation of election material and a misdemeanor for disregarding election code.
Lake County officials initiated the investigation into Bolton, 67, in March. It followed the discovery of a vote-by-mail ballot linked to a deceased voter during routine post-election checks. The ballot in question was issued for Bolton’s mother, Mary Sims, who passed away on January 12. The county clerk’s office sent the ballot on February 5 and later canceled Sims’ voter registration after her death was confirmed.
“A completed ballot was returned to our office on February 26,” said Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega.
The investigation determined that Bolton filled out her mother’s ballot and signed her name, aware that her mother could not participate in the election. Bolton then submitted the ballot to a designated drop box maintained by the Clerk’s Office.
Clerk Vega emphasized that the election system’s verification procedures functioned as intended. “Our staff implemented protocols, detected the inconsistency, and collaborated with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation. Safeguarding election integrity remains paramount,” he stated. The inquiry did not find evidence suggesting any link between the allegations and Bolton’s official responsibilities.
Charged on May 19, Bolton could face probation or a maximum of three years in prison if convicted of the felony. The misdemeanor conviction carries up to one year in jail. Attempts to reach Bolton as of late Friday were unsuccessful. She was released on recognizance and is scheduled to return to court on July 2, according to the Chicago Tribune. Waukegan’s public relations director, David Motley, declined to comment on the ongoing case.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart highlighted the role of a well-resourced, independent clerk’s office. “Utilizing advanced technology, Clerk Vega and his team adhered to national best practices to detect and report this crime,” Rinehart told Fox News. He stressed the importance of addressing voter fraud decisively.
Authorities in Lake County have not encountered previous cases involving fraudulent use of the vote-by-mail system for deceased individuals. The Brennan Center for Justice reports that instances of voter fraud are exceedingly rare, often resulting from errors by voters or administrators.