Marc Elias Files Lawsuit Challenging Ohio's Voter Registration Law

Marc Elias, a prominent attorney known for his involvement in various voting rights cases, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Ohio’s new voter registration law that requires documented proof of U.S. citizenship. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of several liberal voter rights organizations, claims that the law threatens to disenfranchise eligible voters.

The law, included in a transportation funding bill, mandates that individuals provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Elias’s complaint argues that this requirement imposes unnecessary burdens on voters and violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the U.S. Constitution.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose responded to the lawsuit, asserting that both federal and state laws prohibit noncitizens from voting. “We will win this case – just like we’ve fought off the other baseless actions that such groups have brought against us,” LaRose stated.

Critics of the law, including the organizations represented by Elias, argue that it could lead to confusion and hinder eligible citizens from registering to vote. They contend that the law is vague and does not provide clear guidance on what constitutes sufficient proof of citizenship.

In a similar case in Wyoming, U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl ruled that a group represented by Elias lacked standing to challenge a law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. The judge emphasized that plaintiffs must demonstrate a personal stake in the outcome of such cases.

Elias has claimed that the requirement for voter ID to prove citizenship acts as a significant barrier to voting, particularly for women who may have changed their names due to marriage or divorce. However, critics, including Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, have dismissed this argument as exaggerated.

LaRose’s office previously identified 597 individuals registered to vote in Ohio who were not U.S. citizens, referring the cases to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost for further action. In the lead-up to the November election, Yost announced grand jury indictments against six foreign nationals accused of voting illegally in multiple elections.

Yost has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the voting process, stating, “The right to vote is sacred, the exercise of authority by the sovereign people. It belongs ‘only’ to citizens.”

The lawsuit comes amid ongoing debates about election integrity and the role of noncitizens in U.S. elections. Supporters of stricter voter registration laws argue that even a small number of illegal votes can impact election outcomes. In 2020, for example, a congressional seat in Iowa was decided by just six votes.

As the legal battle unfolds, both sides remain firm in their positions. LaRose reiterated, “It’s common sense that only U.S. citizens should be on our voter rolls. I won’t apologize for, or back down from the work we do to ensure the integrity of our voter rolls.”