Lawsuit filed to stop changes to Ohio’s voter registration requirements

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(The Center Square) – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is defending the state’s new budget after lawmakers added an amendment that requires proof of citizenship to vote at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The law, which requires a citizenship database check, is under fire after pro-voting groups filed a lawsuit saying the new provision violates the National Voter Registration Act and could disenfranchise thousands of voters throughout the state.

LaRose said the lawsuit is just the latest attempt by activists to disrupt Ohio’s voting system.

“Both federal law and the Ohio Constitution prohibit noncitizens from voting,” LaRose said. “But now dark money groups represented by D.C. operatives are challenging a law that prevents noncitizens from registering to vote at the BMV. It’s common sense that only U.S. citizens should be on our voter rolls. I won’t apologize for, or back down from, the work we do to ensure the integrity of our voter rolls. We will win this case – just like we’ve fought off the other baseless actions that such groups have brought against us.”

The suit, filed by Red Wine & Blue and the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans, says the new rules are vague and offer no guidance on what would be considered proof of citizenship.

Until now, voters could register at a BMV by stating, under penalty of perjury, that they are citizens.

Opponents of the law, which went into effect June 30, say women without documents reflecting their current legal names after marriage or divorce, or senior citizens who might have lost or never received citizenship papers, could be denied the chance to register to vote.

“Perhaps even more importantly, there is no need to require more than a sworn attestation,” the lawsuit states. "There is no evidence in Ohio (or any other state) that the attestation requirement has been insufficient in preventing noncitizens from voting. The substantial criminal and immigration consequences that a noncitizen would incur from voting have long effectively prevented noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections."

In a release, LaRose said Ohio is thought of as one of the nation’s leaders in accessible and secure elections.