Lynna Lai with 3News reports that as the November 5 election nears, Ohio is set to remove nearly 160,000 inactive voter registrations from its database on July 22. This purge targets individuals who haven’t cast a ballot in the past four years or who have moved without updating their address with the local board of elections. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose released the list of registrations slated for removal, emphasizing the state’s effort to maintain accurate voter rolls.
Tony Kaloger, deputy director for the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, clarified to 3News that the process is not arbitrary.
The law requires election officials to mail a confirmation postcard to those who haven’t voted in four years or who have moved, as indicated by a change-of-address form at the U.S. Post Office. If voters fail to respond to the postcard or do not vote for four consecutive years, their registrations are canceled. This process, known as the “use-it-or-lose-it” law, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates (NOVA) expressed concerns about the purge’s impact on vulnerable groups, particularly those registered at homeless shelters. Meredith Hellmer, NOVA president, highlighted that many at-risk voters, including college students and shelter residents, might be disproportionately affected.
To ensure their ability to vote in November, Bedford residents, along with all Ohioans, should confirm their registration status with their local board of elections or via the Ohio Secretary of State’s website by July 22. If the deadline is missed, re-registration is possible until October 7 for the November election. Checking the purge list and updating voter information promptly is crucial for all eligible voters in Bedford.
