Illinois Alderperson Sylvia Sims Bolton Charged Over 2 Counts in Dead Mother's 2026 Mail Ballot Case
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 27
Illinois Alderperson Sylvia Sims Bolton Charged Over 2 Counts in Dead Mother's 2026 Mail Ballot Case
4 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 27
Lake County prosecutors charged Waukegan alderperson Sylvia Sims Bolton, 67, with one felony and one misdemeanor after alleging she cast a 2026 primary mail ballot in her deceased mother Mary Sims’ name.
Feb. 26 records show the completed ballot was returned through a secure drop box after election officials had canceled Mary Sims’ registration on Feb. 12 following notice of her death.
Post-election review after the March 17 primary flagged the ballot, and officials said it was voided and separated before it could be counted.
Investigators allege Bolton received the ballot after her mother died, filled it out and signed her mother’s name; authorities said they found no link to her alderperson duties and filed no official-misconduct charge.
Bolton surrendered Wednesday and was due in court later that day, as county officials pointed to the case as evidence that mail-ballot safeguards and interagency checks worked.
This system caught one fraudulent ballot. What can other election officials learn from this successful detection?
Why would a public official risk prison for one fraudulent vote that was never even counted?