Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has announced a significant move to cleanse the state’s voter rolls by removing hundreds of non-citizens. This action follows an election year audit revealing numerous registration flaws.
Ohio’s Voter Roll Clean-Up: What You Need to Know
In an effort to ensure the integrity of Ohio’s elections, Secretary of State Frank LaRose has initiated a purge of non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls. Here’s a detailed look at the latest developments:
Key Points of the Purge
- Audit Findings: The recent audit uncovered 499 individuals registered to vote who were not U.S. citizens.
- Verification Process: The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles confirmed these individuals’ non-citizen status through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.
- Failure to Respond: The affected individuals did not respond to notices from the Secretary of State’s office requesting confirmation of their citizenship status or cancellation of their registration.
Impact on Voters
- Provisional Ballots: Those affected can submit a provisional ballot, which will be counted once proof of citizenship is provided.
- Future Citizenship: LaRose emphasised that non-citizens will be welcomed to vote once they achieve citizenship.
The Legal Framework
Frank LaRose has underscored that Ohio law mandates voter registration must reflect U.S. citizenship. Here’s how the process works:
- Two Confirmations Required: Individuals must confirm their non-citizen status with the BMV on two separate occasions to be removed from the rolls.
- Registration and Voting Updates: They must also update their voter registration or vote between these confirmations.
Recent Actions and Historical Context
This purge follows an earlier action in May, where Ohio removed 136 non-citizens from its voter rolls. The state’s internal investigation, supported by federal data from the Biden administration, led to these removals. Here’s a snapshot of recent efforts:
- May Removals: 136 non-citizens were removed based on state data.
- Current Purge: Thursday’s action is part of an ongoing audit, with more purges potentially announced as Election Day approaches.
- Abandoned Registrations: Ohio has also removed nearly 155,000 registrations confirmed to be abandoned or inactive for at least four years.
The Broader Implications
Ensuring Voter Integrity
- Preventing Illegal Voting: The purge aims to prevent illegal voting and ensure that only eligible citizens participate in elections.
- Law Enforcement: While most cases are not criminal, LaRose’s office will refer applicable cases for criminal prosecution if necessary.
Public and Political Reactions
- Election Integrity: LaRose emphasised the importance of maintaining a clean voter roll to ensure fair and lawful elections.
- Future Actions: The ongoing audit may lead to further actions to maintain voter roll accuracy.
Conclusion
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s decision to purge non-citizens from the voter rolls highlights the state’s commitment to election integrity. With the audit revealing significant flaws and the removal of hundreds of ineligible voters, Ohio aims to uphold its democratic processes and ensure that only U.S. citizens participate in elections.
As the audit continues, Ohio’s approach to managing voter registrations will be crucial in maintaining the state’s electoral credibility.
