Non-citizen says he voted in ’22 election in Toms River

An Ocean County man who is not a U.S. citizen admitted in federal court to illegally voting in the 2022 midterm election,  U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Eliezer Kadoch, 39, of Toms River, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Brandon Day in Trenton to one count of voting by an alien in a federal election.

Court records show that Kadoch is a citizen of France and has never been a citizen of the United States.  Despite being ineligible to vote, prosecutors said he cast a ballot in the November 2022 general election, which included the election of a U.S. House representative.

Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections.

Kadoch faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. His sentencing is scheduled for October 26 before Judge Day.

The guilty plea comes as federal authorities continue to emphasize enforcement of election laws involving voter eligibility.  While prosecutions for illegal voting are relatively uncommon, federal officials have said the Election Integrity Task Force is intended to investigate and prosecute violations involving federal elections in New Jersey, including unlawful voting, election fraud, and other offenses that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.