| Photo by Joshua Woronecki on Unsplansh
HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — A 66-year-old Filipino woman living on Maui has been charged in federal court with unlawfully voting in two US federal elections. At the same time, she was not a US citizen, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaiʻi.
Prosecutors say Remedios “Remy” Alasaas, of Kahului, Maui, cast ballots in a November 8, 2022, general election and an August 10, 2024, primary election, despite knowing she was not a US citizen at the time. The charge was filed by Information on June 1, 2026, a procedure that typically signals the defendant is aware of the case and has been in contact with counsel.
Background and how the case began
According to court records, Alasaas came to the United States around 2014 on an immigrant visa and registered to vote soon after arriving in Hawaiʻi. Federal authorities allege that when she registered, and later when she voted, she understood she was not a US citizen, a key element of the unlawful voting charge under 18 U.S.C. § 611.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office, which reviewed election records and immigration documents before the US Attorney’s Office brought the charge. Assistant US Attorney Gregg Paris Yates is prosecuting the case.
What prosecutors are saying
US Attorney Ken Sorenson framed the case as part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of federal elections.
“The right of the people to vote in Federal elections belongs solely to American citizens,” Sorenson said in announcing the charge. “When noncitizens defraud the democratic process by voting, they undermine the integrity and credibility of our elections. This Office will vigorously investigate and prosecute all instances of voter fraud.”
FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter echoed that message, calling election integrity “a cornerstone of our democracy” and pledging continued enforcement against voter fraud.
Plea, detention status, and possible penalties
Alasaas has been charged but not yet convicted; the Information and accompanying DOJ statement emphasize that the charge is “merely an accusation” and that she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
She is expected to appear in US District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu for an initial appearance and arraignment, where she is likely to enter a plea—typically not guilty at this stage in federal cases. Details on whether she is currently detained or released on bond were not specified in the DOJ release; however, in similar unlawful-voting cases, defendants are often released pending trial under standard conditions. (This is an inference based on comparable cases, not a stated fact in the Hawaiʻi filing.)
If convicted, Alasaas faces up to one year in prison for each count, a term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. Beyond criminal penalties, a conviction for unlawful voting as a noncitizen can carry severe immigration consequences, including potential removal from the United States.
Community impact and next steps
The case has drawn attention in Hawaiʻi’s sizable Filipino community, where many residents are lawful permanent residents or recent immigrants navigating complex pathways to citizenship. Advocates note that the case underscores the importance of clear voter registration procedures and accurate eligibility information, especially for noncitizens who may mistakenly believe that long-term residence or possession of a state ID confers voting rights.
The court will next set a schedule for hearings, including any motions and a potential trial date. Any sentence, if Alasaas is convicted, would be imposed in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors, the DOJ said.
