Help! Registered to vote without knowing it's illegal

[mmjohnson 27]

Please someone advise.  In the middle of filling out application and when asked if my husband registered to vote or hadls ever voted, I panicked and never knew this was illegal until just now.  

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

11 minutes ago, mmjohnson said:

Please someone advise.  In the middle of filling out application and when asked if my husband registered to vote or hadls ever voted, I panicked and never knew this was illegal until just now.  

Did he vote in a Federal election?

[Adventine 3,196]

Or did he ever register to vote as a US citizen (this is a very easy thing to miss on the application form when applying/renewing a driver's license in some states).

[SalishSea 17,818]

1 hour ago, mmjohnson said:

Please someone advise.  In the middle of filling out application and when asked if my husband registered to vote or hadls ever voted, I panicked and never knew this was illegal until just now.  

@pushbrk may have more to contribute, but I believe that just registering to vote (without actually voting) can be overcome.  

[milimelo 4,477]

He should go back to the DMV, and the voter registry place in person and get himself off the rolls. Then he should get  a letter from them saying he was removed from the voter list and has never voted (if that's the case). If he ever voted when he wasn't eligible to do so, that's more problematic and he should probably not attempt to naturalize. 

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

when a person gets a visa ,  they are given a phamlet which tells them 

1.  a man under age 26 must register with selective service

2. as LPR they can not vote or register to vote

 

it describes rights and responsibities 

and everything from getting a SS # to finding a place to live to paying taxes to becoming a USC

it should be read by or read to each person coming to live here

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-618.pdf

[Dashinka 24,488]

Here may be some helpful links depending on the state where you reside.  I agree with @milimelo, your husband should get himself removed from the voter registry as soon as possible.  If he actually did vote in a federal election, and possibly even in a state or local election, you may want to consult with an attorney.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://www.eac.gov/voters/voter-registration-cancellations

[pushbrk 12,876]

Good advice above.  It's easy to make this mistake at the DMV and other places.

[mmjohnson 27]

14 hours ago, PaulaCJohnny said:

Did he vote in a Federal election?

Yes.  It's been years though, more than 3, hes been an LPR for 8 years.   But neither of us knew.  I'm always the one handling whatever "administrative" tasks we do, so I'm probably the one who missed it. It was a complete mistake though, he would never had registered or even voted if we knew it was a crime. 

[mmjohnson 27]

14 hours ago, Adventine said:

Or did he ever register to vote as a US citizen (this is a very easy thing to miss on the application form when applying/renewing a driver's license in some states).

As far as I remember,  (its all been so long) he's never claimed to be a citizen.

[Adventine 3,196]

5 minutes ago, mmjohnson said:

Yes.  It's been years though, more than 3, hes been an LPR for 8 years.   But neither of us knew.  I'm always the one handling whatever "administrative" tasks we do, so I'm probably the one who missed it. It was a complete mistake though, he would never had registered or even voted if we knew it was a crime. 

Knowing an LPR's rights and limitations is a shared responsibility between the two of you.

 

If he voted in a federal election, I don't see an easy way out.

 

[Lemonslice 4,836]

26 minutes ago, Adventine said:

Knowing an LPR's rights and limitations is a shared responsibility between the two of you.

 

If he voted in a federal election, I don't see an easy way out.

 

I agree, however, ultimately, I think it's on the LPR to know what's allowed.

 

I understand that in most couples/families, someone is better at handling paperwork, but it's a disservice to not keep the others (let's say after childhood age) in the loop about pretty much everything regarding their status.  Should something happen (emergency, loss of documents, etc.), their own status, and the next steps, are essential things to know. 

[jackiegringa 419]

37 minutes ago, mmjohnson said:

As far as I remember,  (its all been so long) he's never claimed to be a citizen.

Registering to vote and voting are rights afforded only to citizens, meaning either one will be interpreted by USCIS as claiming to be a citizen.

 

Please consult with an attorney for your options going forward and do not apply for citizenship without one.

Edited May 15, 2023 by jackiegringa

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

59 minutes ago, mmjohnson said:

Yes.  It's been years though, more than 3, hes been an LPR for 8 years.   But neither of us knew.  I'm always the one handling whatever "administrative" tasks we do, so I'm probably the one who missed it. It was a complete mistake though, he would never had registered or even voted if we knew it was a crime. 

Unfortunately not knowing the law is not an acceptable excuse. At this point, as others mentioned, his case is not an easy one that you can DIY. A good lawyer with knowledge of misrepresentation, claims about being an US citizen, is the recommendation for it.

 

Good luck 

[Vegamanx7 12]

In the US a term is used frequently by law enforcement and the judicial system. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse”, which is based off an even older latin saying from ancient times. Basically they don’t care if you didn’t know, you can and usually will be held responsible for your actions. As others have said, lawyer up.