A 76-year-old Canadian citizen living in California has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly voting illegally in the 2016 U.S. elections, according to prosecutors in Orange County.
Details of the Charges
Robert Soutar, a legal permanent resident of Fullerton, California, faces four felony charges, including perjury, voter registration fraud, and two counts of illegally voting in an election. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced the charges, emphasizing the importance of protecting electoral integrity.
Prosecutors allege that despite not being a U.S. citizen, Soutar was able to register to vote with the Orange County Registrar of Voters and cast ballots in both the 2016 primary and general elections. The District Attorney’s office noted that the registrar does not independently verify citizenship status of individuals registering to vote.
“The privilege to vote is one of the most sacred rights we have as American citizens,” Spitzer said in a statement. “Any allegation of electoral interference will be thoroughly investigated and if there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, we will hold those responsible accountable.”
While Soutar remains registered to vote, there is no evidence he participated in more recent elections. Prosecutors did not disclose Soutar’s party affiliation or whether he had voted in any other elections since 2016. The case highlights ongoing concerns about voter registration processes and the challenge of preventing non-citizen voting while maintaining accessibility for eligible voters.
