Maryland’s Voter Roll Issues Highlighted by Illegal Immigrant Case
Maryland has recently removed illegal immigrant Ian Andre Roberts from its voter rolls. Roberts gained national attention last year after successfully deceiving multiple school districts into hiring him as an administrator for several years.
State Action Following Sentencing
Roberts was terminated from his position on June 2, shortly after receiving a two-year sentence in federal prison. His charges involved falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to secure the role of superintendent in Iowa and illegally possessing a firearm as an undocumented immigrant.
Maryland’s Reluctance to Acknowledge the Issue
Despite mounting pressure to address the situation, Maryland officials had been reticent to confirm Roberts’ undocumented status for an extended period. However, recent developments suggest an acknowledgment that Roberts is indeed the person involved in this high-profile case.
Details from Voter File Documents
The state’s records reveal a federal court ruling against Roberts, highlighting his conviction for both gun possession and false citizenship claims. Information obtained by the Washington Times through a public records request reveals slow action from the Maryland State Board of Elections, which resisted efforts to remove Roberts from the voter rolls even months after his arrest.
Concerns Over Election Integrity
At the time of the initial controversy, Jared DeMarinis, the Elections Administrator, expressed concern over potential “improper cancellations,” indicating that the board prioritized retaining voters over purging ineligible names from the rolls. The Election Commission has not commented on the ongoing criticisms.
Political Reactions to Roberts’ Hiring
State Representative Matt Morgan, a Republican from St. Mary’s County, called Roberts a “perfect symbol” of the failures within the Maryland State Board of Elections. Morgan pointed out that Roberts was able to hold state office twice, despite his undocumented status, and continued to be part of state affairs even after relocating out of Maryland a decade ago.
Implications of Voting Procedures
In addition, Morgan raised concerns about the state’s absentee ballot process, noting that there is no documentation regarding the handling of ballots sent to Roberts. He commented on the difficulty of removing someone like Roberts from the voter roster, suggesting that it sends a troubling message about Maryland’s election system’s vulnerabilities.
Roberts’ History of Employment and Voter Registration
Roberts was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while serving as the superintendent in Des Moines, Iowa. He had previously worked in a variety of educational roles across multiple states while lacking legal status. His voter registration history dates back to December 2011 when he claimed citizenship in Hyattsville, despite never obtaining U.S. citizenship. Although his status changed to inactive in 2014 and was revoked for inactivity in 2016, he re-registered in 2017, falsely representing himself as a citizen once again.
Need for Stricter Voting Regulations
Critics, including Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Law Foundation, assert that Maryland is failing to prevent non-citizens from registering to vote. Morgan advocates for Congress to adopt the Save America Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship and voter identification for registrations and votes in national elections. While voting rights advocates argue cases of non-citizen voting are rare, the Justice Department has pursued multiple charges against individuals who improperly registered and voted.
