Shakir Khan, a politician in Lodi, California, created 70 pretend voters and forged mail-in ballots for not less than 41 of them. A police investigation additionally discovered that he focused members of Lodi’s Pakistani neighborhood, pressuring them to vote for him and, in some instances, signing their ballots himself. Through the use of mail-in ballots, Khan was capable of strain voters on easy methods to vote after which make sure that their ballots have been forged the way in which he wished. He notably preyed on aged voters to strain, however the variety of voters he pressured isn’t reported.
.
Shakir Khan gained his race towards three opponents with 37.6% of the vote. Complete votes within the race have been 2,228, with Khan receiving 837. The second place opponent acquired 555 votes.
.
Khan initially confronted a doable 40-year state jail sentence, however a plea deal makes it so he’ll possible face no jail time. The sentence was decreased to eight-year state jail time period, however he’ll spend three 12 months in county jail, with the ultimate 12 months beneath obligatory supervision. If he violates the phrases of supervision, the stayed jail sentence may very well be imposed.
.
. . . The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned that in the course of the investigation, deputies discovered 41 sealed and accomplished mail-in ballots at Khan’s residence. Investigators additionally discovered 23 voter registrations itemizing his tackle and 47 others at totally different addresses that used Khan’s e mail and cellphone quantity. The company mentioned Khan focused members of Lodi’s Pakistani neighborhood.
The sheriff’s workplace mentioned physique digicam footage confirmed folks saying Khan pressured them to vote for him or signal ballots on their behalf. The company mentioned as soon as the investigation was made public, Khan launched a video in Urdu asking folks to say they’d signed their very own ballots if questioned by authorities. . .
Hannah Workman, “Lodi ex-councilman Shakir Khan sentenced after movement to withdraw plea fails,” Recordnet.com March 4, 2026.
