Hayden O’Byrne United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | The Florida Bar
Two Ukrainian women, Svitlana Demydenko and her daughter, Yelyzaveta Demydenko, have been charged with illegal voting in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Both women appeared in West Palm Beach federal court on April 29, 2025.
The criminal complaint alleges that the mother and daughter, who entered the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas in April 2021, registered to vote in federal elections despite lacking U.S. citizenship. On October 31, 2024, they reportedly voted in the General Election from Palm Beach, Florida.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne of the Southern District of Florida. The investigation was conducted by the HSI Miami Field Division and the FDLE Office of Executive Investigations, with collaboration from several other agencies, including the Florida Department of State, Office of Election Crimes and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John McMillan is leading the prosecution. The complaint serves as an allegation, and both defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Further information on the case can be accessed through the websites of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida District Court.
