Ex-Atlantic City Council Head Gets 2 Years for Mail-Ballot Scandal

The Fall of a Political Powerhouse

Craig Callaway, the former president of the Atlantic City Council, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a scheme that involved fraudulent mail ballots. This comes after he pleaded guilty to obtaining and submitting ballots on behalf of unsuspecting voters in 2022. Callaway was known as a prominent political figure who ran a significant vote-by-mail and messenger ballot operation in Atlantic County, which contributed to the success of several local candidates.

Callaway maintained that his operations were in line with New Jersey law until he admitted guilt. A campaign informant revealed that he was paid $30 to hand over messenger ballots to Atlantic City's Democratic operative. Although Callaway was a Democrat, he worked for both parties, including U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.), who paid him $50,000 in 2022 but claimed not to be aware of any illegal activities.

A Controversial Career

Callaway’s career has been marked by controversy. He has faced convictions for bribery and a sex-and-blackmail scheme targeting a political rival. In the 1990s, he was known for following then-Mayor Jim Whelan around with a bullhorn, drawing attention to his presence in local politics.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba emphasized her office's commitment to protecting the right to vote when announcing Callaway’s sentencing. She stated that the sentence sends a clear message to those who attempt to undermine New Jersey’s electoral process. “The right to vote is a fundamental aspect of our democracy,” she said, adding that the FBI and law enforcement partners are dedicated to its protection.

Callaway could not be reached for comment, and his attorney, Megan Davies, declined to provide a statement. FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy highlighted that Callaway’s actions led to his arrest and sentencing, serving as a warning against voter fraud in New Jersey.

The Mechanics of the Scheme

According to court documents and testimony, Callaway approached individuals in Atlantic City in 2022, offering them $30 to $50 to act as authorized messengers for voters wishing to vote by mail. These messengers obtained mail-ballot applications for voters who had never given them permission to do so. Under New Jersey law, messengers must deliver mail ballots directly to the voters and certify that they will do so.

However, instead of delivering the ballots to the voters, the messengers handed them to Callaway or his subordinates. Habba noted that many of the mail-in ballots collected by Callaway or his subordinates were cast in the names of voters who confirmed they did not vote in the 2022 General Election—either in person or by submitting a mail-in ballot—and that they did not authorize anyone to cast ballots for them. Some of these ballots were counted, according to Habba.

Calls for Reform

In response to the case, Atlantic County Democratic Committee chairman Michael Suleiman called for legislation to make paying ballot messengers illegal. He aims to prevent future "desperate candidates on both sides of the aisle" from engaging in similar practices. Suleiman urged the legislature to take action to restore election integrity and ensure that another Craig Callaway does not emerge in New Jersey.

The sentencing of Callaway marks a significant moment in the fight against voter fraud. As the legal system continues to address such issues, it remains crucial to uphold the principles of fair and transparent elections.