An investigation by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has unveiled a significant issue within the state’s voter registration system. His office recently disclosed that over 1,000 noncitizens “appear to have registered to vote unlawfully in Ohio.” This announcement highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity in the state.
LaRose has referred all 1,084 identified cases to the Department of Justice, pointing out that 167 individuals may have cast ballots in federal elections since 2018. His proactive approach includes not only the referral of noncitizens but also 135 others facing potential prosecution for various unlawful voting activities. LaRose stated, “Ohio has earned its reputation as the Gold Standard, and our Election Integrity Unit continues to prove why.” This underscores his commitment to ensuring that only eligible voters participate in the electoral process.
The reported findings indicate a range of alarming activities. Among the 1,084 cases, there are 99 individuals who seem to have voted in two states during the same federal election. Additionally, 16 individuals appear to have voted twice in Ohio during the same federal election. Moreover, 14 names show evidence of voting after the date of death, while four persons allegedly engaged in ballot harvesting. There are also two cases of voters registering at unlawful residences.
LaRose’s actions are part of a larger initiative to streamline and secure Ohio’s voting processes ahead of the 2024 election. He has also taken steps to address ineffective registrations by suing the Biden administration for failing to provide necessary data to identify wrongful voter registrations. His office previously removed over 155,000 voter registrations confirmed as abandoned and inactive for at least four consecutive years.
This audit utilized various data sources, including the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Homeland Security’s federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database, and Social Security Administration records.
Accountability and transparency are at the forefront of LaRose’s agenda. His continuous efforts to clean up voter rolls reflect a determination to uphold the integrity of Ohio elections. As the upcoming elections approach, these measures will be crucial in fostering trust among voters and ensuring a fair electoral process.
"*" indicates required fields
