NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — Local NewsNovember 2, 2026Hillsborough County
Florida prosecutors charge defendants with voter fraud under law enacted after votes were cast
Photo: ABC Action News (WFTS) — Local News
An I-Team review of recent voter fraud charges in Florida reveals that at least eight defendants are facing a newer offense for votes cast before the law took effect. The newer statute differs from previous law by omitting a knowledge-of-ineligibility requirement and barring defenses based on mistaken citizenship beliefs. Defense attorneys are challenging the charges in court, while state officials maintain the investigations are ongoing.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — Local NewsWhy It Matters
Defendants face felony charges and potential s under a legal standard that differs from the law in effect at the time of their votes, affecting their criminal liability and custody status.
Key Facts
- An I-Team review of charging documents for 12 defendants found eight facing a newer voting offense for votes cast before the law took effect.
- Astrid Navarrete Quintana voted on Nov. 5, 2024, but was charged under Florida Statute 104.155, which took effect on Feb. 13, 2025.
- The older voting statute, Section 104.15, required proof that a person knowingly and willfully voted while unqualified.
- The newer statute, Florida Statute 104.155, does not include a knowledge-of-ineligibility requirement and bars defenses based on mistaken citizenship status.
- Quintana received a voter registration card mailed to her home address despite being a legal permanent resident.
- Quintana faces two felony charges: voting as an unqualified non-citizen and falsely affirming citizenship.
- Defense attorney Connor Martin filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the voting count based on the enactment date.
- Attorney General James Uthmeier's office announced a voting fraud operation targeting 20 people at a Sept. 24 press conference.
- The Attorney General's office identified 16 defendants as noncitizens and four as people with felony convictions who voted while on probation.
- An immigration detainer has been placed on Quintana by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Quintana's family has established a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay immigration attorney fees.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who appointed officials”OrganizationOffice of Statewide Prosecution“Prosecuting the voter fraud cases”locationFlorida“State where the voter fraud crackdown occurred”PersonConnor Martin“Attorney representing Astrid Navarrete Quintana”locationFort Myers“City where Quintana resides”OrganizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Placed an immigration detainer on Quintana”OrganizationSuarez, Rios & Weinberg PA“Law firm representing Quintana”PersonAstrid Navarrete Quintana“Defendant facing voting charges in Fort Myers”PersonJames Uthmeier“Attorney General whose office announced the voting fraud operation”locationLee County“County where Quintana's attorney is based and where she is jailed”