'Motor Voter' caused case to go to Panel

[kerran 4]

I had my interview 10/15 but my case was sent to panel because I was registered to vote. I went to DMV to get driver's license and the attendant asked me if I'd like to register at my address to vote, I said yes. She gave me a paper and said sign this (pointing to the signature line), without reading it I signed. About a week later I received the voters registration card in the mail. I first thought it was spam but on closer inspection I realized it was real. I checked online which confirmed my suspicion but I still didn't make sense when I registered until I saw the date, which is the same date I did my license. I went to the city to double check and get myself removed, they gave me a printout and sent me to the elections office to get removed. I got removed after being questioned and explaining what happened. They also gave me a letter to take to the interview. My case was sent to panel and I submitted the requested documents to the local off the same day. My status was updated saying they sent me an RFE (which I'm still waiting on). What do I do now? It was stupid on my part to sign something I didn't read. I know one has to be a US citizen to vote so this was just an unfortunate mistake.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Run, do not walk, to the nearest AILA-certified immigration attorney for a consultation at the very least.

A false claim of US citizenship (which is what you did when you filled in the voting form) carries a lifetime bar from the US and there is no waiver.

[kerran 4]

I'll do that. I didn't fill out anything, just signed it. I know it's all the same though.

Thanks ?

Run, do not walk, to the nearest AILA-certified immigration attorney for a consultation at the very least.

A false claim of US citizenship (which is what you did when you filled in the voting form) carries a lifetime bar from the US and there is no waiver.

[Jamaicancricket 38]

When we went to the DMV to get his ID they asked him if he wanted to register to vote as well. He said yes, at first handed it to him but then the agent pulled back the form and asked him "are you a US citizen"? He wasnt so they took back to form completely. In my opinion its just a mistake. I'd take the forms and letter and explain. I wouldnt worry too much. All explanable and the DMV's error to give youthe form without asking if you are a US citizen.

[Grashoppr 14]

I've always had to go to the DMV in person (in GA) to renew my license as they need to see my GC. EVERY time, they've asked me if I wanted to register to vote. EVERY time I've said, "I'm not a US Citizen, I'm not eligible to vote."

Makes me wonder just how many non-citizens do register... whether accidentally or otherwise. What's scary is, if it goes through... no checks and balances for that?!

Sounds to me like you did the right thing - DMV workers shouldn't even offer the option to register for non-citizens. Doesn't absolve us of personal responsibility - but you took the proper steps to correct the *mistake* once it was discovered, so hopefully that will show that your intention wasn't bad.

Good luck with it, please keep us posted.

[kerran 4]

They've asked me before and I told then I wasn't a citizen so they didn't give me a form. This time however, I wasn't paying attention so when she gave me the form to sign I though it had something to do with my driver's license (I was removing my probationary).

When we went to the DMV to get his ID they asked him if he wanted to register to vote as well. He said yes, at first handed it to him but then the agent pulled back the form and asked him "are you a US citizen"? He wasnt so they took back to form completely. In my opinion its just a mistake. I'd take the forms and letter and explain. I wouldnt worry too much. All explanable and the DMV's error to give youthe form without asking if you are a US citizen.

[kerran 4]

I've been beating myself up since 10/15 and as much as it hurts I have to take responsibility for signing without reading. She had my GC in her hand so her giving me a voters registration form to sign was the farthest thing from my mind. Furthermore, I had no idea you old register at the DMV to vote! I tried to do the right thing but it seems honesty may not always be the best policy in my case. I've gone over my interview in my head a million times and said I should've lied but every time I catch myself say that lying isn't worth. I'd rather take my punishment for telling the truth than one for lying. Oh we'll...

Thanks for your kind words everyone.

I've always had to go to the DMV in person (in GA) to renew my license as they need to see my GC. EVERY time, they've asked me if I wanted to register to vote. EVERY time I've said, "I'm not a US Citizen, I'm not eligible to vote."

Makes me wonder just how many non-citizens do register... whether accidentally or otherwise. What's scary is, if it goes through... no checks and balances for that?!

Sounds to me like you did the right thing - DMV workers shouldn't even offer the option to register for non-citizens. Doesn't absolve us of personal responsibility - but you took the proper steps to correct the *mistake* once it was discovered, so hopefully that will show that your intention wasn't bad.

Good luck with it, please keep us posted.

[Grashoppr 14]

Lying would have been worse. Way worse. Consider this a "speed bump". You did the right thing to correct the mistake, surely somebody will see that for what it's worth.

I'm sure you can't be the first (nor the last) to have had such an error.

[Jamaicancricket 38]

I've always had to go to the DMV in person (in GA) to renew my license as they need to see my GC. EVERY time, they've asked me if I wanted to register to vote. EVERY time I've said, "I'm not a US Citizen, I'm not eligible to vote."

Makes me wonder just how many non-citizens do register... whether accidentally or otherwise. What's scary is, if it goes through... no checks and balances for that?!

Sounds to me like you did the right thing - DMV workers shouldn't even offer the option to register for non-citizens. Doesn't absolve us of personal responsibility - but you took the proper steps to correct the *mistake* once it was discovered, so hopefully that will show that your intention wasn't bad.

Good luck with it, please keep us posted.

"accidental or otherwise". I agree! hmmm

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I had my interview 10/15 but my case was sent to panel because I was registered to vote. I went to DMV to get driver's license and the attendant asked me if I'd like to register at my address to vote, I said yes. She gave me a paper and said sign this (pointing to the signature line), without reading it I signed. About a week later I received the voters registration card in the mail. I first thought it was spam but on closer inspection I realized it was real. I checked online which confirmed my suspicion but I still didn't make sense when I registered until I saw the date, which is the same date I did my license. I went to the city to double check and get myself removed, they gave me a printout and sent me to the elections office to get removed. I got removed after being questioned and explaining what happened. They also gave me a letter to take to the interview. My case was sent to panel and I submitted the requested documents to the local off the same day. My status was updated saying they sent me an RFE (which I'm still waiting on). What do I do now? It was stupid on my part to sign something I didn't read. I know one has to be a US citizen to vote so this was just an unfortunate mistake.

Registering to vote implies claim of US citizenship. I have no doubt that you did this in error, but you are required to read what you sign. Spend some time on the computer and google "false claim of US citizenship."

You have a problem now.

[JB007 4]

Same thing almost happened to me but I quickly walked away despite their insistence. They didn't seem to care when I told them I was not a US citizen and wanted me to have my signature at any cost. I think some folks want to take advantage of us and our possible lack of knowledge of federal law. Common sense and instinct are often times very valuable traits to have.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

my signature at any cost

True, and both sad and perilous. There may be political or supervisory pressures on these employees to sign people up, eligible or not.

[warlord 73]

Keep this updated, I am very curious as to how this situation will be handled and what the entire process you will have to go through when you find out. Yes people do make mistakes and in many cases people are actually unaware, but they will still take that very seriously, especially if you have actually voted.

But the main thing here is you realized the problem you have created and are taking the proper steps, so I am curious of the outcome and how it all plays out. You aren't the first person to have done this...

[randye80 24]

Please take the advice to seek legal advice very seriously.

I just downloaded the voter registration form to see what was in the fine print you didn't read. It includes:

“I swear/affirm that I am a United States citizen.”

“The information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge under penalty of perjury. If I have provided false information, I may be fined, imprisoned, or (if not a U.S. citizen) deported from or refused entry to the United States.”

[kerran 4]

Still nothing in the mail even though letter was allegedly mailed on 10/15/12. I spoke to an immigration lawyer (a relative), who thinks I have a chance since I tried to correct my mistake. Just waiting for the letter...