Federal judge blocks enforcement of Ohio proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration

In a significant ruling on Tuesday, a federal judge in Ohio temporarily blocked the enforcement of a requirement that voters must show proof of citizenship when registering to vote at motor vehicle bureaus. This rule, which took effect for the first time this year, had been a point of contention. U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. from Cleveland ruled that the requirement conflicts with the National Voter Registration Act, which holds higher precedence.

The injunction suspends the practice until further notice, particularly as it overlaps with the Oct. 5 registration deadline for the upcoming midterm elections. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, immediately announced his intention to appeal the decision. The case was brought by the Ohio Alliance of Retired Americans and the Red Wine & Blue group, represented by the Democrat-aligned Elias Law Group.

The judge's ruling emphasizes that the requirement goes beyond the signed attestation to U.S. citizenship accepted by Ohio's other voter registration methods, potentially conflicting with the NVRA due to its more extensive information requirements.