Sylvia Sims Bolton, who serves as an alderperson representing Waukegan’s 1st Ward, is being charged by local law enforcement officials after getting busted allegedly submitting a mail-in ballot in her dead mother’s name during Illinois’ 2026 primary election. Bolton, 67, has been charged with one felony count of mutilation of election material and one misdemeanor count of disregarding election code, according to information released by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said they launched their investigation into Bolton after election officials flagged a vote-by-mail ballot that was connected to a deceased voter during a post-election review process. Officials said that a vote-by-mail ballot for Mary Sims was sent out on February 5, which was the first day that ballots could legally be sent for the 2026 General Primary Election.
Officials went on to process the cancellation of Mary Sims’ voter registration several days later, after having received confirmation of her death by the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration system. Election officials also stated that the completed ballot envelope was sent back through a secure drop box located outside the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 26, 2026.
According to a report from Fox News, following the March 17 primary election, a review was conducted and election staff found that the ballot had been returned after the voter’s recorded date of death. “The safeguards and verification procedures in place within our election system worked exactly as intended,” Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega went on to say in a statement.
“Our staff followed established protocols, identified the irregularity, and immediately coordinated with law enforcement to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated. Protecting the integrity of our elections remains our highest priority,” Vega added. Investigators say that Bolton received the ballot in the mail after her mom passed away, filled it out, forged her signature, and submitted it through an official ballot drop box.
“Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is something the public rightfully expects from all of us in government,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a statement. “This case is an example of the strong collaboration between the Lake County Clerk’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to thoroughly review allegations, follow the facts, and ensure our election laws are upheld fairly and impartially.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart also heaped praise on the investigation and cooperation between agencies, saying, “While Lake County’s internal protocols and automated systems are effective, any attempt at voter fraud undermines democracy and must be prosecuted.” Authorities also stated that the ballot was flagged, voided, and separated from valid ballots before it could be counted.
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Investigators did not find any evidence to suggest that the allegations against Bolton were in any way connected to her official duties as an alderperson, so they did not file charges of official misconduct against her. Bolton surrendered to law enforcement officers on May 27, 2026, and appeared in court later the same day. Authorities stated that they were not aware of any prior Lake County investigations involving someone voting on behalf of a deceased person using the vote-by-mail system.