An Ohio judge has halted an Ohio law that demands photo ID proof of citizenship for voter registration. Judge Solomon Oliver Jr., appointed by President Clinton, issued the decision on Tuesday, arguing it conflicts with federal law.
Judge’s Decision
Judge Oliver granted a preliminary injunction against House Bill 54’s amendment. The amendment required proof of citizenship when issuing driver’s licenses or renewals before voter registration. Oliver’s decision highlights ongoing debates on state voting requirements aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections.
“The court grants plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction … from relying on House Bill 54’s amendment to require any driver’s license or renewal to produce documentary proof of citizenship before offering the opportunity to register to vote,” Oliver wrote.
Immediate Impact
As a result, Ohio residents can register to vote without presenting a passport, current driver’s license, certification of naturalization, or birth certificate. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Secretary LaRose’s Response
LaRose stated, “We strongly disagree with that decision, and I’ve asked our legal team to file an immediate appeal. I will vigorously defend our legal authority to safeguard our voter rolls and protect the integrity of Ohio’s elections.” He cited instances where voter fraud went undetected, blaming existing enforcement mechanisms.
Case Details
The conflict arose in the case of Red Wine & Blue v. the Ohio Secretary of State. The court considered whether Ohio law conflicted with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), also known as the “Motor Voter Act,” enacted in 1993. The NVRA requires states to offer voter registration opportunities using the same information for driver’s licenses.
Judge Oliver emphasized that states’ need for proof of citizenship isn’t forbidden by the NVRA, but requiring additional documentary evidence could be redundant, as citizenship is already addressed on driver’s license forms.
Citizenship Proof Concerns
LaRose disagreed, referencing a case where an Ohio woman voted illegally in 2018 due to misinformation from a Bureau of Motor Vehicles clerk. She was acquitted on grounds of entrapment. LaRose argues that signed citizenship attestation isn’t sufficient, citing Ohio’s constitutional requirement for ensuring only U.S. citizens participate in elections.