A Democratic elected official in Illinois is facing criminal charges after prosecutors accused her of submitting a mail-in ballot using her deceased mother’s name during the state’s 2026 primary election.
Sylvia Sims Bolton, a 67-year-old alderperson representing Waukegan’s 1st Ward, was charged with one felony count of mutilation of election material and one misdemeanor count of disregarding election code following an investigation by local authorities.
The case began after election officials discovered an irregularity during a routine post-election review of vote-by-mail ballots.
According to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, officials flagged a ballot connected to Mary Sims after discovering it had been returned after her recorded date of death.
Investigators said a vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was sent out on February 5, the first day ballots could legally be mailed for the 2026 General Primary Election.
One week later, on February 12, election officials processed the cancellation of Sims’ voter registration after receiving notification of her death through the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration system.
Authorities allege the completed ballot envelope was later returned on February 26 through a secure drop box outside the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
During the review process following the March 17 primary election, workers discovered the ballot had been submitted after Sims was listed as deceased.
Investigators allege Bolton received her mother’s ballot after her death, filled it out, signed her mother’s name and submitted it.
Anthony Vega said the discovery demonstrated that election security procedures successfully detected the issue.
“The safeguards and verification procedures in place within our election system worked exactly as intended,” Vega said.
“Our staff followed established protocols, identified the irregularity, and immediately coordinated with law enforcement to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated.”
Officials said the ballot was flagged, voided and separated before it could be counted, Trending Politics reported.
John D. Idleburg said multiple agencies coordinated throughout the investigation.
“Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is something the public rightfully expects from all of us in government,” Idleburg said.
“This case is an example of the strong collaboration between the Lake County Clerk’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to thoroughly review allegations, follow the facts, and ensure our election laws are upheld fairly and impartially.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said prosecutors were moving forward because any attempted election fraud must be addressed.
“While Lake County’s internal protocols and automated systems are effective, any attempt at voter fraud undermines democracy and must be prosecuted,” Rinehart said.
Authorities said investigators found no evidence connecting the allegations to Bolton’s official duties as an alderperson, and she has not been charged with official misconduct.
Bolton surrendered to authorities Wednesday morning and was scheduled to appear in court later that day.
Officials said they were not aware of any previous Lake County case involving allegations that someone attempted to cast a vote-by-mail ballot on behalf of a deceased person.
