In New Hampshire, a non-U.S. citizen named Naseef Bryan has been charged with illegally voting in multiple elections, including the upcoming 2024 presidential primary and general elections. The New Hampshire Department of Justice confirmed that Bryan, who lived in Manchester, is facing three counts of wrongful voting. Authorities assert that Bryan knowingly participated in a local election back in 2023 and cast votes in the presidential primary and general elections. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of three and a half to seven years, along with a potential fine reaching $4,000. His arraignment is scheduled for August at the Ninth Circuit Court in Manchester.
Bryan, a 34-year-old permanent U.S. resident originally from Jamaica, has an extensive history of legal action, having filed more than a dozen lawsuits against various government entities and individuals. Among those he has targeted include a local police department, a community college, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Despite the volume of his lawsuits, details on the specific grievances are unclear, as many of his filings are described as ambiguous and tangential. In one notable case against USCIS, Bryan referred to maritime law and bizarrely sought relief in the form of gold coins.
The backdrop to Bryan’s charges includes a recent Republican-backed law in New Hampshire requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Although this legislation was signed in September 2023, it will only come into effect after the 2024 presidential elections. This development follows a narrow victory for then-candidate Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the New Hampshire electoral race, where Harris received 50% of the votes compared to Trump’s 48%. The state’s political landscape has been dominated by Republicans controlling the governorship and legislature since 2021.
Concerns about noncitizen voting are escalating across the United States. In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating potential cases involving over 100 noncitizens, who reportedly cast around 200 ballots across the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. Much of this scrutiny is directed at Harris County, although similar investigations extend to other counties like Guadalupe, Cameron, and Eastland. This increased focus on voter integrity originates from an executive order signed by former President Trump, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to make immigration data available to states.
Efforts to validate voter registration and monitor election integrity have become focal points for many Republican officials nationwide. Legal initiatives continue to emerge, addressing concerns about the fairness and accuracy of election processes. In New York, Democratic representative Yvette Clarke has sparked controversy by insinuating a desire to increase immigrant numbers in her district for redistricting purposes. Such statements have contributed to the broader debate surrounding immigration and voter representation in American politics.
The implications of Naseef Bryan’s legal troubles reflect ongoing tensions regarding voting rights and citizenship. As election season nears, both state and federal authorities grapple with how to enforce voter integrity without disenfranchising legitimate voters. Bryan’s case, alongside investigations in other states, underlines the contentious landscape where issues of immigration, citizenship, and electoral participation intersect. Both parties are sensitive to these issues, with Republicans pushing for stricter measures and Democrats advocating for expanded access to voting rights.
