The investigation into this matter began in March 2026, after the Lake County Clerk’s Office identified and flagged a Vote by Mail ballot that was associated with a deceased voter during its post-election review process. 

According to election records, a Vote by Mail ballot for Mary Sims was issued and mailed by the Lake County Clerk’s Office on February 5, 2026, the first day ballots could legally be mailed for the General Primary Election. On February 12, 2026, the Lake County Clerk’s Office processed the cancelation of Mary Sim’s voter registration after receiving notification of the voter’s death record from the Illinois Department of Public Health through the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration system. 

On February 26, 2026, the completed Vote by Mail ballot envelope was returned through the secure exterior drop box located outside the Lake County Clerk’s Office. After being run through the intake process, the Vote by Mail ballot for Mary Sims was flagged as voided and segregated from valid Vote by Mail ballots.  

Following the March 17, 2026, General Primary Election, election staff conducted the standard post-election review and verification process for challenged and voided ballot envelopes to ensure all valid ballots were properly processed and counted. 

All ballot envelopes are reviewed through automated systems designed to identify irregularities and flag ballots requiring additional review. Ballots may be rejected or separated for further examination if they are determined to be overweight, underweight, submitted for a different election, unreadable due to barcode issues, previously rejected, or associated with a cancelled voter registration record. These safeguards are part of the office’s established security and verification protocols to help ensure the integrity and accuracy of the Vote by Mail process. 

During that review on March 27, 2026, election officials identified that the voter’s death record had been processed prior to the return of the ballot. After evaluating the returned envelope and confirming that the ballot had been submitted after the voter’s recorded date of death, the matter was escalated internally and reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. 

Later that day, a detective from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the Lake County Clerk’s Office to review the ballot materials. In accordance with standard procedures, the sheriff’s detective confirmed that the returned Vote by Mail ballot envelope contained a marked ballot. Sheriff’s detectives obtained statements from Clerk’s Office staff and collected evidence as part of their ongoing investigation.   

The investigation into the matter showed Sylvia Sims Bolton, 67, of the 900 block of McAllister, received a Vote by Mail ballot for her mother, Mary Sims. Sims had passed away prior to Bolton receiving the ballot.  Nonetheless, Bolton filled out the ballot and signed Sims’ name to the ballot, knowing it was not possible for her to vote in the election. Bolton then submitted the ballot to an official Clerk’s Office ballot drop box.   

The investigation was reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office who in turn filed charges on May 19, 2026. 

Bolton surrendered Wednesday morning and is scheduled for first appearance court later this morning.  

“The safeguards and verification procedures in place within our election system worked exactly as intended,” said Anthony Vega. “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.” 

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is something the public rightfully expects from all of us in government. 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.” 

“I want to thank Clerk Vega for his work in maintaining election integrity and the Sheriff’s Office for conducting a thorough investigation that brought all the facts to our office. While Lake County’s internal protocols and automated systems are effective, any attempt at voter fraud undermines democracy and must be prosecuted,” State’s Attorney Rinehart stated after charges were filed. 

Sylvia Sims Bolton currently serves as an elected alderperson for the City of Waukegan in the First Ward. The investigation did not uncover any facts linking these allegations to her city duties, and Ms. Bolton is not charged with official misconduct.  

Officials at the State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, and Clerk’s Office indicated that they were unaware of any previous investigations related to individuals using the vote by mail system to vote on behalf of deceased individuals in Lake County.