Former Plainfield Mayoral Candidate Pleads Guilty to Forging Voter Registration Applications

In a stark reminder that election interference is not just a conspiracy theory but a real and present danger, former Plainfield mayoral candidate Henrilynn Ibezim pleaded guilty to third-degree forgery related to submitting fraudulent voter registration applications. The guilty plea was entered on April 27, 2026, before Judge Candido Rodriguez, Jr., in New Jersey Superior Court, Union County.

Ibezim, 71, admitted to forging approximately 1,000 voter registration applications during the June 2021 Democratic primary for Plainfield mayor. According to the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), Ibezim attempted to mail these falsified documents from an Elizabeth post office to the Union County Commissioner of Registration. The applications contained personal information of individuals who had not authorized their registration, and many were written by just a handful of people, violating the requirement that the applicant themselves must complete their form.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding elections, stating, “It is crucial to our system of government that those who engage in illegal and bad faith conduct during elections be held accountable.” She warned that ignoring such actions risks eroding public confidence in democracy itself.

Under the plea deal, the State dropped all other charges against Ibezim and agreed not to pursue further criminal violations related to this conduct. Prosecutors will recommend probation at sentencing, scheduled for June 18, 2026.

This case exposes how local elections remain vulnerable to manipulation by bad actors willing to exploit the system for political gain. It also underscores the necessity of vigilant oversight and swift legal consequences to deter election fraud and protect voter trust.

Only Clowns Are Orange will continue to track these abuses of power and demand accountability for anyone who attempts to undermine the democratic process. Our elections must be decided by voters, not forged paperwork.