Ohio flags 1,084 apparent noncitizen registrants, 167 may have voted; cases sent to DOJ as state cites election integrity
Columbus, Ohio (Times Media Service) — Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced a probe identifying 1,084 apparent noncitizens on voter rolls, with 167 who appear to have voted since 2018; referrals and 135 other alleged offenses were sent to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Key takeaways
- 1,084 registrants flagged as apparent noncitizens; 167 may have cast federal ballots since 2018.
- 135 additional referrals include alleged double voting, voting as deceased, illegal ballot harvesting and fraudulent registrations.
- State audit used cross-checks with the BMV, DHS SAVE system, Social Security records and federal jury data; DOJ has received referrals but had not commented publicly.
- Ohio also purged more than 155,000 abandoned or inactive registrations after four years of inactivity to improve roll accuracy.
Report details
What happened: Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office completed a long-running maintenance review of Ohio’s voter rolls that, officials say, used interagency matching to identify registrants whose records suggest noncitizen status. The office referred 1,084 cases to the U.S. Department of Justice, including 167 people who appear to have voted in federal elections since 2018, plus 135 other alleged election-related offenses.
What LaRose’s office says
LaRose framed the work as routine list maintenance aimed at keeping voter rolls accurate and deterring fraud. His office described the referrals as the product of “long-running maintenance work” that compares registrations against other government records.
“Anyone who tries to cheat the system will face serious consequences.”
The office said the process could serve as a model for other states.
Methodology of the review
Data sources and matching: Officials say the audit relied on cross-agency data matching. Key sources included driver records from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), federal databases such as the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), Social Security Administration files and federal jury pool data. Matches triggered case reviews and, where evidence suggested unlawful registration or voting, referrals to prosecutors.
Scope and scale in context
While the raw totals may sound large, election experts caution these figures must be weighed against Ohio’s millions of registered voters. Independent reviews and court records show prosecutions tied to noncitizen voting in Ohio have historically been rare relative to total ballots cast. The same state effort also removed more than 155,000 registrations labeled abandoned or inactive after four years — a step officials say improves administrative efficiency and roll accuracy.
Legal and policy landscape
Ohio implemented changes requiring BMV clerks to verify citizenship when processing voter registrations; that rule was codified in 2023. Supporters, including LaRose and Republican lawmakers, argue it formalizes verification and strengthens election integrity. Critics and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits, arguing the verification rule can inadvertently disenfranchise eligible voters — for example, those with name changes or mismatched documentation — and creates new burdens for registrants.
Federal guidance and gaps
At the federal level, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) sets standards for registration and list maintenance, but does not prescribe a uniform process for identifying and handling suspected noncitizen registrants. A Bipartisan Policy Center review notes states vary on what evidence justifies flagging a registration and what procedural protections must follow — leaving states to build their own safeguards.
Political reaction and accusations
The report is expected to intensify partisan debate. Supporters say tougher verification reduces illegal voting risk and bolsters public confidence. Critics warn aggressive maintenance and strict documentation checks risk false positives and could chill participation among immigrants, people of color, lower-income voters and those who recently moved. Local advocacy groups have already mounted legal challenges to Ohio’s BMV verification rule.
Criminal referrals and the DOJ
LaRose’s office referred the 1,084 apparent noncitizen registrations (including the 167 suspected voters) plus 135 other alleged offenses — such as double voting, voting as deceased individuals, illegal ballot harvesting and fraudulent residential registration — to the U.S. Department of Justice for possible prosecution. As of reporting, the DOJ had not publicly commented on whether it will pursue prosecutions. LaRose’s office has made similar referrals in prior election cycles.
Accuracy, errors and due process
Election experts emphasize cross-matching databases can produce erroneous flags due to name mismatches, clerical errors or outdated federal records. Federal guidance on list maintenance underscores the need for careful review and clear opportunities for affected individuals to contest findings before removals or charges. Civil liberties groups stress procedural safeguards to prevent wrongful removal or unwarranted criminal investigation.
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
Election administration: Nevada officials may review cross-matching procedures with DMV records, federal databases and Social Security data to check for vulnerabilities.
Political consequences: The Ohio findings could shape debates in Las Vegas over the balance between voter integrity and access, especially in urban and diverse counties.
Social effects on immigrant communities: Stricter documentation checks could prompt increased outreach from community groups and legal aid organizations to help residents confirm registration status and respond to notices.
Cultural trust and practical steps: High-profile referrals can erode trust if mistakes occur. Residents in Las Vegas are advised to check and update their voter registration, keep documentation handy, and use county or Secretary of State tools to verify status. Local civic groups may expand help desks and hotlines.
Legal and advocacy responses: Nevada advocates might press for clear due-process protections before removal or referral, while some lawmakers could cite Ohio to argue for stricter verification at the DMV or through state law changes.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News: Ohio uncovers over 1,000 noncitizens appearing registered to vote; sends cases to DOJ for prosecution
- Signal Cleveland: Ohio sued over new citizenship verification law for people trying to register to vote at the BMV
- Bipartisan Policy Center: Modernizing voter list maintenance — an evidence-based framework for access and integrity
