Ohio to Purge Hundreds of Non-Citizens from Voter Rolls Amid 2024 Election Audit

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Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is spearheading an initiative to purge hundreds of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls following an election year audit that revealed significant discrepancies. The audit found 499 individuals registered to vote who were not U.S. citizens, prompting swift action to maintain the integrity of Ohio’s electoral process.

The Audit Findings: Uncovering Ineligible Voters

The audit identified 499 non-citizens registered to vote. These individuals were flagged through a meticulous cross-referencing process involving the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. The BMV’s data, confirmed by the SAVE database, indicated that these registrants were indeed non-citizens.

Primary keyword: Ohio voter rolls

Supporting keywords: non-citizens, voter purge, 2024 election audit

The Removal Process: Ensuring Accuracy and Fairness

Ohio law mandates a rigorous process before removing a person from voter rolls. Non-citizens must confirm their status to the BMV on two separate occasions and have either updated their voter registration or voted in between these confirmations. This thorough procedure ensures that the removals are justified and accurate.

Secretary LaRose’s Commitment to Electoral Integrity

Secretary of State Frank LaRose emphasized his duty to uphold the Ohio Constitution, which stipulates that only U.S. citizens can participate in state elections. LaRose stated, “I swore an oath to uphold the constitution of our state, and that document clearly states that only United States citizens can participate in Ohio elections.”

Primary keyword: Ohio Secretary of State

Supporting keywords: Frank LaRose, electoral integrity, Ohio Constitution

The Role of the Federal SAVE Database

The federal SAVE database played a crucial role in confirming the non-citizen status of the flagged individuals. LaRose highlighted the importance of this federal resource, noting that he had previously called on President Biden’s administration to release the SAVE data, which facilitated the audit and subsequent voter roll purges.

Primary keyword: SAVE database

Supporting keywords: federal verification, non-citizen status, Biden administration

Provisional Ballots: Protecting the Right to Vote

Ohio officials have clarified that any individual losing their registration due to this action can submit a provisional ballot. This ballot will be counted upon proof of citizenship, ensuring that eligible voters are not disenfranchised.

Primary keyword: provisional ballots

Supporting keywords: voter rights, proof of citizenship, eligibility verification

Previous and Ongoing Purges

This recent purge follows an earlier action in May, where Ohio removed 136 non-citizens from its voter rolls. This was based on state data and internal investigations. The current audit is an ongoing process, with LaRose’s office indicating that more purges may be announced as Election Day nears.

Primary keyword: voter roll purges

Supporting keywords: election integrity, non-citizen removals, ongoing audit

Addressing Misconceptions and Ensuring Compliance

While the improper voter registration could lead to prosecution, LaRose expressed his belief that most of these instances were not intentional law violations. The Election Integrity Unit will refer applicable cases for criminal prosecution, but LaRose is committed to giving individuals the benefit of the doubt.

“I want to give these folks the benefit of the doubt and say that most of them didn’t intend to break the law,” LaRose said. This balanced approach aims to prevent illegal voting while safeguarding lawful citizen participation.

Primary keyword: election integrity

Supporting keywords: voter registration, legal compliance, criminal prosecution

Maintaining Clean and Accurate Voter Rolls

Ohio’s commitment to maintaining clean and accurate voter rolls is evident in the recent actions taken by LaRose’s office. Nearly 155,000 registrations confirmed to be abandoned and inactive for at least four consecutive years have also been removed.

Primary keyword: accurate voter rolls

Supporting keywords: abandoned registrations, voter roll maintenance, electoral process

Final Thoughts: Upholding Democracy

As Ohio moves forward with its audit and voter roll maintenance, the focus remains on upholding the principles of democracy. Ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in elections is fundamental to the integrity of the electoral process.

By taking these steps, Ohio aims to prevent illegal voting and ensure that every lawful citizen can seamlessly participate in the democratic process. Secretary LaRose’s actions underscore the importance of vigilance, accuracy, and fairness in maintaining voter rolls.

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