Illinois Dem Faces Criminal Charges for Allegedly Submitting a Mail-in-Ballot Using Her Dead Mother’s Name
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.
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.
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