A Spring Valley man is facing felony charges after authorities say he voted in the 2024 general election despite not being eligible. He told investigators and the Fillmore County Journal the situation stemmed from a mistake.
Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, 39, has been charged in Fillmore County District Court with one count of perjury in writing under oath and one count of ineligible voter knowingly voting, both felonies.
According to a criminal complaint filed April 13, 2026,Chaudhari registered to vote in March 2023 and was added to the voter rolls later that month. Authorities allege he cast a ballot in the November 5, 2024, election in Spring Valley despite not being a United States citizen at the time.
The complaint alleges that Chaudhari signed a voter registration form affirming he was a U.S. citizen. That statement, made under oath, forms the basis of the perjury charge. The second charge stems from allegations that he cast a ballot while ineligible.
The perjury charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The voting violation charge carries up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated by Captain Dan Dornink of Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department, who reviewed voting records and interviewed Chaudhari on March 20.
Investigators compared the signature on Chaudhari’s ballot to his Minnesota driver’s license and found it appeared consistent. Records also indicated he had registered, voted, and submitted a ballot in the 2024 election.
When first questioned, Chaudhari denied voting, according to the complaint. He later acknowledged that he had cast a ballot and confirmed he was not a U.S. citizen at the time.
In an interview with the Fillmore County Journal, Chaudhari described the situation as the result of confusion and a lack of understanding of the law.
“I just clicked through it,” he said. “That’s how I made the mistake.”
He said he believed he was completing a routine registration process after receiving materials following issuance of his Minnesota driver’s license.
“I saw a notice in the mail to register my address and things like that,” he said. “I went through it online and clicked that I was a U.S. citizen.”
Chaudhari said he did not fully understand the requirements tied to voter eligibility.
“I don’t know much about the law in the U.S.,” he said.
He told the Fillmore County Journal that when he went to vote in 2024, he presented his driver’s license and was allowed to cast a ballot without further questioning.
“I went there, showed my Minnesota driver’s license, and they had my name there,” he said. “Then I voted.”
He said he was unsure whether he was eligible at the time but proceeded after seeing his name listed.
“I saw my name there, so I thought it was okay,” he said.
Chaudhari said he later learned the action was not allowed during his immigration process and acknowledged the error to law enforcement.
“I told them I made a mistake,” he said. “I accepted that I was wrong.”
He said the situation has been confusing and that he did not understand the difference between general registration notices and voter eligibility requirements.
Chaudhari, who has lived in the United States for approximately 15 to 16 years, described the situation as frightening and said it has caused significant stress.
“I am shaking now,” he said. “I’ve never committed a crime.”
He said he is currently in the process of applying for a green card and is concerned about how the charges may affect his future.
Court records show Chaudhari has been summoned to appear for his first hearing on May 18 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be held remotely via Zoom before Judge Jeremy Clinefelter.
If convicted, the charges could carry both jail time and immigration consequences. The case remains ongoing.
Leave a Reply