In a significant escalation of the ongoing debate over election integrity, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, accusing them of obstructing efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Southern District of Ohio, alleges that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has repeatedly denied requests for federal records deemed crucial to identifying and removing non-citizens from Ohio’s voter rolls.
LaRose’s office has been conducting a rolling audit of the state’s voter rolls, a process he claims is hindered by a lack of access to key federal data. He argues that while state-level records provide some information, accessing federal records is essential to ensure only eligible citizens are registered to vote.
“I swore an oath to uphold our state constitution, and that document clearly requires that only United States citizens can participate in Ohio elections,” LaRose stated in a press release. “The Biden-Harris Administration is engaging in obstruction and outright abuse of power to prevent us from removing non-citizens from our voter rolls. I take my duty seriously, so if they want a fight over the integrity of our elections, they’ve got it.”
The lawsuit specifically cites four instances where Ohio’s requests for access to federal records were denied. LaRose maintains that the data withheld by the Biden administration would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the number of non-citizens potentially registered to vote in Ohio. He emphasizes that the DHS’s refusal to share this data is particularly concerning given the Justice Department’s concurrent efforts to sue or threaten legal action against states, including Ohio, attempting to enforce citizenship voting requirements.
“It’s hardly a coincidence. The same administration that’s presided over the most reckless, porous immigration policy in our country’s history is also intentionally blocking states from protecting the integrity of their elections,” LaRose stated.
LaRose’s audit has also purged approximately 155,000 voter registrations deemed inactive or abandoned. This ongoing legal battle highlights the growing tension surrounding election security, particularly as the 2024 election draws closer. The lawsuit’s outcome could have significant implications for states’ ability to maintain accurate voter rolls and enforce citizenship requirements for voting.