Ohio Code 3503.152 – Review of database for noncitizens
The secretary of state shall conduct an annual review of the statewide voter registration database to identify persons who appear not to be United States citizens, as follows:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 3503.152
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- United States: includes all the states. See Ohio Code 1.59
(A) The secretary of state shall compare the information in the statewide voter registration database with the information the secretary of state obtains from the bureau of motor vehicles under section 3503.151 of the Revised Code to identify any person who does all of the following, in the following order:
(1) Submits documentation to the bureau of motor vehicles that indicates that the person is not a United States citizen;
(2) Registers to vote, submits a voter registration change of residence or change of name form, or votes in this state;
(3) Submits documentation to the bureau of motor vehicles that indicates that the person is not a United States citizen.
(B) The secretary of state shall send a written notice to each person identified under division (A) of this section, instructing the person either to confirm that the person is a United States citizen or to submit a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall include a blank voter registration cancellation form with the notice. If the person fails to respond to the secretary of state in the manner described in division (C) or (D) of this section not later than thirty days after the notice is sent, the secretary of state promptly shall send the person a second notice and form.
(C) If, not later than sixty days after the first notice is sent, a person who is sent a notice under division (B) of this section responds to the secretary of state, confirming that the person is a United States citizen, the secretary of state shall take no action concerning the person’s voter registration.
(D) If, not later than sixty days after the first notice was sent, a person who receives a notice under division (B) of this section sends a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall instruct the board of elections of the county in which the person is registered to cancel the person’s registration.
(E) If a person who is sent a second notice under division (B) of this section fails to respond to the secretary of state in the manner described in division (C) or (D) of this section not later than thirty days after the second notice is sent, the secretary of state shall refer the matter to the attorney general for further investigation and possible prosecution under section 3599.11, 3599.12, 3599.13, or any other applicable section of the Revised Code. If, after the thirtieth day after the second notice is sent, the person sends a completed voter registration cancellation form to the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall instruct the board of elections of the county in which the person is registered to cancel the person’s registration and shall notify the attorney general of the cancellation.
(F) The secretary of state shall not conduct the review described in this section during the ninety days immediately preceding a primary or general election for federal office.
Last updated September 12, 2023 at 9:12 AM