A 66-year-old Maui woman in the U.S. illegally will make her initial appearance in court Tuesday after she was charged with misdemeanors for allegedly voting in a federal election as a migrant without legal status.
Remedios A. Alasaas of Kahului was charged Monday by information, with two misdemeanor counts of unlawfully voting as an alien, according to federal court records. She is scheduled to make her initial appearance on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry M. Kurren.
Alasaas entered the U.S. in 2014 on an immigrant visa from the Philippines and registered to vote, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Alasaas was not a U.S. citizen when she cast votes: first, in a general election on Nov. 8, 2022, for U.S. House and Senate races, and then in a primary election on Aug. 10, 2024, for president, vice president, U.S. House and Senate races.
“On both occasions, Alasaas understood that she was not a citizen at the time that she cast her ballot,” according to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson in a statement.
If convicted of the federal misdemeanor, Alasaas faces up to one year in prison for each charge, plus a term of supervised release. She also faces a fine of up to $100,000.
“The right of the people to vote in Federal elections belongs solely to American citizens,” said Sorenson in a statement. “When non-citizens defraud the democratic process by voting, they undermine the integrity and credibility of our elections. This Office will vigorously investigate and prosecute all instances of voter fraud.”
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“The right to vote in Federal elections is a cornerstone of our democracy, and secured for U.S. citizens,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter in a statement. “The FBI will continue its work to ensure the integrity of our elections and hold accountable anyone who undermines the fairness of our democracy by engaging in voter fraud.”
The FBI is investigating and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates is prosecuting the case.
Federal law does not allow non-citizens to vote in any federal elections, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. To register and vote in Hawaii, one must be a U.S. citizen, Hawaii resident and 18 years of age.
