Voting Rights Advocates Warn That Ohio Secretary LaRose’s Mass Removal of Voters May Violate Federal Law 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Ohio, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, League of Women Voters of Ohio, and Common Cause Ohio today sent a letter to Secretary Frank LaRose regarding improper removals of voters from the rolls.

These removals are based on mass challenges to voter eligibility by third parties who have no personal knowledge about the voters, and are using unreliable data. Some voters were removed in August based on purported changes of address and their removals were not preceded by the notice-and-waiting period required by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and others were flagged for potential future removal.

The organizations’ letter emphasizes that systematically removing voters during the 90 days prior to a general election for federal office would also violate the NVRA. The letter specifically cites Delaware and Muskingum counties as having violated federal law, but identifies potential violations in other counties, including Logan.

“As Ohio’s chief election officer, Secretary LaRose must ensure compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. It is his duty and responsibility to be fully acquainted with federal election law, and we urge him to refrain from unlawful removals, and correct all violations in an expedient manner,” said Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio.

“Secretary LaRose has a duty and an obligation to protect eligible Ohio voters on the rolls by following federal law,” said Sarah Brannon, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.

“The League of Voters helped support the passage of the National Voter Registration Act, which requires transparent, accurate, and fair maintenance of the voter rolls in each state,” said Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. “We call on Secretary LaRose to ensure that elections officials have all the support and information they need to make Ohio a great place to vote, which starts with compliance with federal law.”

“Despite the absence of statewide guidance, local officials must protect eligible voters on the rolls by following federal law. This close to an election, improper removals can sow needless confusion and doubt among voters about their eligibility and about Ohio's elections, which are safe and secure. These purges are putting voters’ rights at risk,” said Alice Clapman, senior counsel in the Brennan Center's democracy program.

“This close to an election, officials must be extra vigilant to make sure no voters are improperly removed from the rolls. After all, our vote is our voice, and it deserves to be heard on Election Day. Let’s make sure every eligible voter is able to cast a ballot this November,” said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio.

The organizations request the secretary to correct the violations within 20 days or they may seek legal recourse. The Department of Justice issued guidance last month reaffirming the rules for maintaining voter rolls in compliance with federal law.

A copy of the letter is here.