Rep Fudge Sends Letter to Ohio Secretary of State John Husted Requesting Information on Ohio Voter Roll

Press Release

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) sent a formal request to Ohio Secretary of State John Husted yesterday requesting the number of registered voters, organized by county, who have been removed, or "purged" from the Ohio voter rolls since 2008. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), is a federal law which helps to ensure accurate and current voter registration rolls are maintained. States are required to perform general voter record maintenance due to NVRA.

On April 18, 2011, the Secretary's office issued instructions to the election boards on how to conduct the general voter records maintenance program as required by law. However, when requested by the Congresswoman's office, she learned that the information was not maintained by the Secretary's office or readily available in its entirety.

The letter to Secretary of State Husted asks for public disclosure of the number of voters removed from the rolls across Ohio -- information that should be continuously maintained and available to all citizens of the state. The Congresswoman asked that the information be made readily accessible to Ohioans no later than October 9, 2012, the last day of registration before the General Election.

The removal of voters from rolls, without adequate safeguards to ensure accuracy, has become the norm in so many states from coast to coast, and Congresswoman Fudge remains committed to upholding and protecting the rights of eligible Ohioans and Americans around the country to vote. Having current information about the results of the state removing citizens from registration rolls is one part of that commitment.

"The purging of voter rolls is yet another attack on the right of Americans to select their leadership and representatives in the local, state and federal houses of our nation," said Congresswoman Fudge. "As we move closer to the observance of Independence Day, it is critically important that we continue to ensure that every eligible American continues to enjoy the freedoms that led to the founding of this great country, and for which so many lost their lives."

Source