A voter from Long Island attempted to commit voter fraud in the 2024 election by pretending to be someone else in order to cast an extra ballot. The scheme was uncovered when the actual resident he impersonated showed up to vote on Election Day. Christopher Lindenberg, a 54-year-old resident of Lindenhurst, now faces felony charges of voter fraud for allegedly submitting a mail-in ballot under another person’s name and then voting legally a second time, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
The incident occurred when Lindenberg requested an early mail-in ballot for another individual without their knowledge through an online portal in October. The county Board of Elections initially accepted the fraudulent vote, but suspicions arose when the real individual showed up to vote in person on Election Day and was turned away.
It is unclear whether Lindenberg knew the person he impersonated or whom the fraudulent ballot was cast for. However, state records indicate that Lindenberg was a registered Republican. Lindenberg was arraigned on Monday on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records in the first degree.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Lindenberg was released without bail as the charges are non-eligible. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 21. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in electoral systems for a free society.
The incident highlights the significance of safeguarding the integrity of the voting process and the consequences of attempting to manipulate election outcomes through fraudulent means. Voter fraud undermines the principles of democracy and threatens the credibility of election results. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
