Ohio refers more than 1,000 alleged noncitizen voter registrations to DOJ; Frank LaRose says 167 may have cast federal ballots
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has referred 1,084 alleged noncitizen voter registrations and 135 suspected unlawful voting cases to the U.S. Department of Justice; officials say 167 of the flagged registrations may have cast federal ballots since 2018.
- More than 1,000 records referred: LaRose’s office sent 1,084 allegedly noncitizen registrations to the DOJ for possible prosecution (Fox News & Hoodline).
- Potential federal ballots: Officials said 167 of the flagged registrations appear to have cast ballots in federal elections since 2018 (Fox News).
- Other referrals: An additional 135 matters were referred, including alleged double voting, voting after death, ballot harvesting and improper residences (Fox News).
Investigation and referrals
Audit findings: LaRose’s office reported that an audit of Ohio voter rolls identified 1,084 records of people who “appear” to be noncitizens. Those records were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice’s criminal division for review and possible prosecution.
Emphasis on caution: State language uses terms such as “appear” and “may have,” underscoring that these are referrals for federal review and not final determinations. As of the latest reports, the DOJ had not issued a public comment on the referrals (Fox News).
Types of alleged irregularities identified
Beyond noncitizen registrations, LaRose’s office categorized an additional 135 referrals. Those categories include:
- 99 cases appearing to involve voting in two different states in the same federal election;
- 16 cases of apparent double voting in Ohio in the same federal election;
- 14 votes cast after an individual’s recorded date of death;
- 4 alleged instances of ballot harvesting;
- 2 registrations at addresses described as unlawful residences.
Data sources and methods
Officials said the review relied on cross-checks across multiple government databases, including the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, the Social Security Administration, and federal jury-pool records. These matches are intended to flag discrepancies for further investigative review, not to serve as conclusive proof of wrongdoing (Fox News).
Laws and legal fights
New state law: Ohio passed a law requiring BMV clerks to check a registrant’s citizenship before offering voter registration at motor vehicle offices. That law is being challenged in court, with plaintiffs arguing it could impede eligible registrants and treat BMV registrations differently from other registration methods (Signal Cleveland).
Federal guidance gap: The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) provides general list-maintenance rules but does not prescribe a specific process for dealing with suspected noncitizen registrations. The Bipartisan Policy Center has urged clearer, evidence-based frameworks that balance access and integrity.
Political context and past prosecutions
LaRose framed the referrals as routine list maintenance and a defense of election integrity. Critics and voting-rights advocates warn that aggressive cleanup can inadvertently remove or deter eligible voters. Historically, prosecutions in similar cases have been limited to a small number of defendants, making referrals numerically small relative to Ohio’s overall voter rolls (Fox News; Signal Cleveland).
Responses and next steps
LaRose’s office said audits and referrals will continue ahead of major elections. The Department of Justice will determine whether to pursue criminal charges after reviewing the referred cases. Officials have emphasized that referral is not equivalent to guilt and that further investigation is required (Fox News).
Implications for Fresno, California
Economic impact: Direct economic effects on Fresno are limited, but national policy shifts and legal fights could raise administrative and legal costs for local election offices, affecting budgets for staff, software, and training.
Political consequences: The Ohio disclosures may shape local debate in Fresno — pushing some leaders to call for stronger checks while prompting others to warn about potential voter suppression.
Social and cultural effects: Community groups serving immigrants may face increased concerns among residents; local outreach, education, and assistance can help reassure eligible voters and clarify registration requirements.
Practical advice for Fresno residents: Voters should check their registration status with the Fresno County Registrar of Voters and community organizations can coordinate registration drives and assistance to ensure eligible residents are not wrongly flagged.
Quote
“These referrals are part of routine list maintenance intended to protect election integrity,” LaRose’s office said, while also noting the findings use cautious language — people who “appear” to be noncitizens or who “may have” voted.
Where to find more information
- Ohio referral reporting and details: Fox News
- Background and local reporting: Hoodline
- Lawsuit over BMV citizenship verification: Signal Cleveland
- National guidance on list maintenance and NVRA context: Bipartisan Policy Center
