5 permanent residents face federal charges over alleged illegal voting

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 2:29 PM

Five people who are legal permanent residents of the region are facing federal charges accusing them of illegally voting. They include Samantha Merkle of Glens Falls and Jacques Patry of Tupper Lake, along with residents of Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Albany. 2 are from Canada, 2 from Great Britain, and 1 from Bosnia, and range in ages from 30 to 64. Federal prosecutors say all five knew they were not U.S. citizens and voted anyway. Each charge carries up to one year in prison.

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