The Ohio Secretary of State's office has issued a warning to election boards after a troubling discovery.
Following an investigation into the submission of illegal voter registration forms, Secretary of State Frank LaRose called on all 88 Ohio county boards of elections to exercise increased vigilance as the state nears the 2024 voter registration deadline, as a press release from his office explains.
LaRose’s Election Integrity Unit uncovered the illegal forms after one was submitted in Haitian Creole. The Clark County Board of Elections identified the unauthorized document and traced its origins to a county government assistance office.
The form was mistakenly included among materials outsourced to a foreign language translation service. Director of Investigations Hun Yi confirmed this and praised the Clark County Board for promptly rejecting the form and collaborating to trace its origin.
LaRose emphasized the gravity of the situation. He expressed concerns over the form's submission, given the significant population of Haitian refugees in Springfield. His office remains vigilant against fraudulent voter registration activities.
The secretary also warned about the involvement of third-party groups in these illegal practices. Black Fork Strategies, among others, is under scrutiny for submitting fraudulent voter registrations in multiple Ohio counties.
LaRose reiterated the importance of vigilance as the state approaches the 2024 election. His office has been aggressively pursuing groups and individuals responsible for fraudulent registrations. County boards were advised to pay close attention to any submissions, particularly those from third-party organizations.
Director Yi echoed this sentiment, reminding all officials to scrutinize any forms submitted by public or private entities. He urged local boards to be especially cautious of third-party groups hiring paid canvassers who might prioritize quantity over accuracy.
The investigation also revealed ongoing efforts to audit the statewide voter rolls for compliance with Ohio's citizenship voting requirement. The Secretary's office has employed federal and state databases to identify any potential non-citizen registrations.
LaRose pointed to the need for a statewide effort to ensure election integrity. His office continues to enforce strict rules against the use of unauthorized registration forms, a requirement mandated by law.
He also warned that fraudulent activities could become more frequent as the election draws nearer, especially from third-party groups or paid operatives working under bounty systems. “We’re cracking down on illegal forms that aren’t authorized,” LaRose stated. “We’re reminding elections officials to remain vigilant and protect the integrity of the election process.”
Ohio’s Election Integrity Unit has been monitoring the situation closely, continuing investigations into the fraudulent practices of Black Fork Strategies and other involved groups. The secretary has made clear that any evidence of groups encouraging non-citizens to participate in elections will be investigated thoroughly.
As the state moves closer to the 2024 election, Ohio voters can expect increased scrutiny of registration forms and enhanced measures to protect the integrity of the voter rolls.
