DeSantis Announces 20 Voter Fraud Arrests Ahead of Florida Election
State officials highlight Office of Election Crimes and Security prosecutions as general election approaches in November.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials announced Thursday the arrest or prosecution of 20 people across Florida accused of voting illegally, marking a significant enforcement action weeks before the general election on Nov. 3. The announcement was made at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth by Attorney General James Uthmeier, who stated that the new felony charges bring the total number of arrests and prosecutions since the creation of the Office of Election Crimes and Security to more than 100.
Details on Arrests and Prosecutions
The majority of individuals facing these new charges are not U.S. citizens, while four others were convicted felons who allegedly voted while still on probation. According to a news release from the Attorney General’s office, 12 of the 20 people had been arrested as of Thursday. The list includes foreign nationals such as Astrid Shamatu Navarrete Quintana of Fort Myers and Selvin Uton Whilby of Tampa.
Uthmeier noted that dozens more investigations are currently underway involving citizenship status, felony probation violations, voting in multiple states, casting multiple ballots, and illegal petition circulation. The Office reported receiving nearly 3,500 complaints of alleged election crimes in 2025 alone, with 867 referred to law enforcement.
Political Context and New Initiatives
This announcement follows a similar press conference four years ago when DeSantis publicized the arrests of another 20 individuals. Secretary of State Cord Byrd used the platform to announce Florida will lead a new organization called the Association of State and Local Election Officials, dedicated to restoring trust in electoral systems, as this newspaper reported in Florida Counties Begin Distributing Mail Ballots for November Election.
Byrd stated that state chapters would train local officials on election integrity, positioning Florida as a model for the nation. Critics have viewed the small number of prosecutions relative to 13.5 million registered voters as futile, but Byrd countered this sentiment during the press conference by stating it is "a big deal."
Legal Challenges and Jurisdiction Disputes
The Office of Election Crimes and Security has faced legal hurdles since its inception. Circuit court judges previously dismissed cases against several individuals, ruling that the former Office of Statewide Prosecution lacked jurisdiction. The Legislature amended state law in 2023 to clarify this authority.
Some earlier dismissed cases remain active or are pending review by higher courts. For instance, a case involving Miami resident Ronald Lee Miller was reversed by the Third District Court of Appeal but has not been rescheduled for trial as attorneys wait on Florida Supreme Court decisions regarding similar jurisdictional issues.
