On April 16, 2025, a significant announcement reverberated from the offices of Attorney General Bondi and Education Secretary McMahon. They revealed enforcement actions against the State of Maine, citing a failure to uphold protections for women and girls in sports. This move follows a comprehensive federal investigation establishing that Maine was not in compliance with Title IX, a crucial civil rights law designed to ensure equal treatment for women and girls in educational settings, including athletics.
In a separate case shedding light on election integrity, a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. since the 1960s faces serious legal consequences. Denis Bouchard, 69, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in North Carolina for allegedly voting illegally in multiple elections, notably during the 2022 midterms and the forthcoming 2024 presidential race. Prosecutors contend that Bouchard certified false U.S. citizenship to participate in voting in New Hanover and Pender County elections.
According to the Department of Justice, Bouchard completed voter registration applications in both 2022 and 2024, falsely identifying himself as an American citizen. His alleged actions raised eyebrows, particularly as they came to light after he is believed to have been voting in U.S. elections for nearly two decades. The weight of these claims suggests a significant breach of trust regarding the electoral system, with U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle for the Eastern District of North Carolina emphasizing, “every illegal vote cast by a noncitizen cancels out the ballot of a legitimate voter.”
The investigation into Bouchard’s voting record has involved multiple agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authoritative voices within law enforcement are advocating for stringent measures against voter fraud. The North Carolina State Board of Elections has asserted that the indictment represents their commitment to combatting voter fraud, highlighting the importance of public confidence in the electoral process. Every case, they assert, is crucial to upholding the integrity of American elections.
Despite assertions from some that illegal voting is a rare phenomenon, this indictment provides a stark counter-narrative. It illustrates how weaknesses in voter registration systems can enable exploitation. In Bouchard’s case, reports suggest he repeatedly certified false citizenship without facing challenge until now—a situation that underscores the vulnerabilities within the voting system. Such anomalies can have real consequences; elections are often decided by narrow margins, so even a handful of illicit votes could sway outcomes.
The Department of Justice maintains an impressive conviction rate of around 98% in federal prosecutions, lending weight to expectations of a firm legal stand against Bouchard. The upcoming trial will be pivotal; the outcome could see him facing years in federal prison for actions considered harmful to the democratic process. Creating a legal precedent, this case acts as both a warning and a deterrent against those who might contemplate such infractions in the future.
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