Ohio Voter Data Shared with DOJ Sparks Privacy Debate

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has provided the state’s voter registration list to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a move that has ignited a political firestorm and raised concerns about voter privacy. The data transfer, encompassing nearly 8 million Ohioans, is part of a broader DOJ investigation into state compliance with federal election laws.

DOJ Investigation and Data Request

The DOJ initiated the request for the voter data last summer, seeking complete statewide voter rolls, including personally identifiable information such as birthdates, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The department asserts this data is necessary to enforce the Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act. According to LaRose, complying with the request is mandated under federal law. “Part of that, it says very plainly in there that states must make available for inspection to the Attorney General or anybody else enforcing the law what those records are,” LaRose stated in a statement.

Political Backlash and Privacy Concerns

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde criticized the decision, accusing LaRose of prioritizing politics over voter rights. “Frank LaRose’s failure to protect Ohio voters’ privacy by turning over our voter registration info to the DOJ is unacceptable,” Clyde said on social media. “The Ohio Democratic Party is exploring all options to fight back against this egregious abuse of power.”

LaRose Defends Data Transfer

LaRose maintains that the data transfer was legally required and that his office consulted with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to ensure compliance with state law and data protection protocols. He also acknowledged that the data represents a “static snapshot” and may not perfectly reflect the constantly changing voter rolls. The DOJ has the legal authority to compel states to comply and has previously sued states that have refused to provide the requested data according to LaRose.

National Trend and Legal Challenges

Ohio is not alone in facing pressure from the DOJ. The department has sent letters to dozens of states demanding complete voter rolls and has filed lawsuits against 29 states and Washington D.C. For non-compliance. Federal courts have dismissed several of these lawsuits in California, Michigan, and Oregon, but the DOJ has appealed those rulings.

RNC Support and Election Integrity

The Republican National Committee (RNC) defended the data sharing, arguing that cooperation with federal investigators is essential for enforcing election laws. “Why are Democrats so threatened when states share election data with the Justice Department to ensure every vote counts?” the RNC posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Recent Election Integrity Referrals

This data handover follows Secretary LaRose’s recent referral of over 1,200 criminal cases to the DOJ for potential federal prosecution. These cases include 1,084 noncitizen individuals who appear to have registered to vote unlawfully, with 167 potentially casting ballots in federal elections between 2018 and 2024 according to a press release from the Ohio Secretary of State. Other referrals include instances of individuals voting in multiple states, after death, or engaging in ballot harvesting.

Looking Ahead

The legal battles surrounding the DOJ’s data requests are expected to continue, raising fundamental questions about voter privacy and federal oversight of state election administration. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact the balance of power between state and federal governments in the realm of elections.