A recent audit in Ohio revealed significant legal repercussions for non-citizens who voted.
Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State, referred 138 non-Americans to the attorney general for potential prosecution after they participated in recent elections, according to Fox News.
Frank LaRose announced the discovery and referral on Thursday, as part of an ongoing effort to clean up voter rolls. His office uncovered a total of 597 non-citizens registered to vote during various audits, exposing broader issues in the voter registration system over the years.
Frank LaRose emphasized that the Ohio constitution restricts voting to U.S. citizens. “I’m duty-bound to ensure people who haven’t earned citizenship do not vote in our elections,” LaRose stated.
Ohio’s verification process cross-references voter registrations with data from agencies like the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure only eligible voters are properly registered.
Since taking office, Secretary LaRose has intensified audits, uncovering discrepancies in the citizenship status of certain individuals at the time of voting.
Alongside addressing non-citizen voting, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office has removed about 155,000 registrations confirmed as abandoned or inactive for four years.
Consequently, these measures contribute to a broader initiative to keep voter rolls accurate and up-to-date statewide.
During a detailed examination of Ohio's voter rolls, Secretary LaRose remarked:
“We’ve identified 597 individuals who registered to vote in Ohio despite not being U.S. citizens, as our state constitution requires. Specifically, evidence includes 138 individuals who appear to have voted in an Ohio election while state and federal records show they lacked citizenship. Therefore, the law requires me to refer these individuals to the attorney general, and that’s what we’re doing today.”
This effort not only ensures compliance with legal standards but also aims to boost public confidence in elections. By removing or correcting registrations, the state moves closer to accurately representing its voters.
Moreover, the effort to cleanse the rolls streamlines the voting system, ensuring only eligible voters participate per Ohio's constitution.
Frank LaRose remains committed to maintaining the integrity of Ohio's elections.
Under LaRose's leadership, Ohio has made significant progress through audits and legal actions, thereby ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens vote, restoring public trust, and improving the accuracy of voter rolls.
