Democrat U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico claimed in a 2024 interview that it was impossible for illegal aliens to vote in American elections, a statement contradicted by recent federal prosecutions involving noncitizens who cast ballots in Texas.
The comments, made during a March 2024 interview, have resurfaced as Talarico campaigns against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November election.
During a discussion about immigration, Talarico was asked whether illegal aliens vote in American elections.
“They don’t vote, and because of protections that we have in our election system, there’s no possible way for them to vote,” Talarico responded.
The statement stands in contrast to multiple cases brought by federal prosecutors involving foreign nationals who illegally voted in Texas elections.
In September, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against seven noncitizens accused of illegally voting in federal elections or falsely claiming American citizenship.
Among those charged was Moises Anwar Arellano-Alba, a 36-year-old Mexican national who was in the country illegally and had been ordered deported.
According to federal prosecutors, Arellano-Alba falsely claimed American citizenship when applying for a Texas driver’s license in 2023 and subsequently voted early in Dallas County during the 2024 presidential election. He later admitted to voting during immigration proceedings.
The Justice Department also announced that Eliseo Morales-Tapia, another Mexican national in the country illegally, had been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for crimes including illegal voting, identity theft, and falsely claiming citizenship.
Other cases have already resulted in convictions and guilty pleas.
In 2019, Enrique Salazar Ortiz, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to offenses including unlawfully voting in the 2016 presidential election using a stolen identity.
In 2017, Rosa Maria Ortega, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident, was convicted of illegal voting and sentenced to eight years in prison. Prosecutors presented evidence that she had falsely claimed American citizenship and cast ballots in multiple Texas elections.
Another Mexican national, Laura Janeth Garza, pleaded guilty in 2018 to voter impersonation and ineligible voting after using a stolen American citizen’s identity to register and vote in Harris County, including during the 2016 presidential election. She received a 10-year probated sentence and was ordered to serve jail time.
More recently, Ada Ngozi Otuka, a British citizen and lawful permanent resident living in the Houston area, pleaded guilty to illegally voting in the 2020 federal election and falsely claiming American citizenship. Federal records showed she had voted in five elections between 2012 and 2024.
Talarico’s remarks have resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of his position on election security.
During a recent CNN town hall, Talarico was asked whether he supported the SAVE America Act, legislation aimed at requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
Talarico claimed he did not know whether he supported the legislation, despite having previously criticized the measure.
The 2024 interview also included Talarico defending illegal aliens, arguing that they contribute economically and commit fewer crimes than American citizens.
Talarico, a former public school teacher, said many of his “undocumented” students in San Antonio were among his best students because of their appreciation for America.
Texas Scorecard contacted Talarico’s campaign to ask whether he stands by his assertion that illegal aliens cannot vote and whether he supports additional safeguards against noncitizen voting.
The campaign did not respond before publication.
