Judge blocks enforcement of Ohio proof-of-citizenship rule for voter registration

Key Points:

• A federal judge in Ohio has temporarily blocked enforcement of a new state rule requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration at motor vehicle bureaus, citing conflict with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
• The injunction suspends the proof-of-citizenship requirement ahead of the October 5 voter registration deadline for the 2024 midterm elections, and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose plans to appeal the ruling.
• The judge found Ohio’s rule exceeds the minimum information required under federal law and also criticized the state's motor voter process for limiting voter registration to those obtaining a driver’s license, rather than all applicants.
• Similar legal challenges are occurring in other states with new proof-of-citizenship laws, such as South Dakota, where groups have sued to block stringent ID requirements for voter registration.
• The ruling aligns with other court decisions that have struck down or limited proof-of-citizenship mandates, including a permanent block on parts of former President Trump’s election executive order requiring such documentation.