A federal judge in the United States has temporarily blocked an Ohio law requiring residents to provide documentary proof of US citizenship when registering to vote while applying for a driver’s licence.
US District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. issued a preliminary injunction, ruling that the law likely violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). He said election officials do not need documentary evidence of citizenship because applicants’ signed declarations of citizenship are sufficient.
The judge also ruled that Ohio must allow eligible residents to register to vote when they submit their driver’s licence application, rather than waiting until the application is approved by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The law was amended last year by Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature amid claims, promoted by President Donald Trump and others, that noncitizens were voting in elections. However, federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
Voting rights advocates welcomed the ruling, saying the citizenship-document requirement could make registration more difficult for eligible voters. Ben Stafford, a lawyer representing Red Wine & Blue, called the decision a victory for Ohio voters.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose disagreed with the ruling and said his office would appeal the decision.
The ruling comes just weeks before Ohio’s voter registration deadline.
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