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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
