Those who support individuals who are homeless are urging Ohio to halt their planned voter purging before the upcoming November election.
Around 160,000 individuals in Ohio are set to lose their voting rights on July 22, 2024. The removal of voting rights will exclusively affect voters who have been inactive or infrequent, however, advocates for voting rights are concerned about the limited time they have to address this potential civil rights issue. The urgency surrounding this matter has left little room for delay.
According to Cid Standifer of the Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates (NOVA), the current voter system in Ohio is causing systematic disenfranchisement of the state’s most vulnerable individuals.
In Cleveland, 500 registered voters are facing removal, and NOVA has brought attention to their shared circumstance – all of these voters are unhoused and registered at shelters.
At 2100 Lakeside Ave, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries operates one of the largest men’s shelters, where almost 400 people who registered at the address will be purged.
According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (CCBOE), over 130 individuals were added to the purge list due to the fact that the mail sent to the shelters to verify their residency was returned as “undeliverable” or no response was received. In addition, over 250 others were included on the list due to discrepancies in their voter information that did not align with BMV records.
BOE Director Tony Perlatti has promised to obtain the information regarding the discrepancies in state records, as the boards are not required to report such information. It remains unclear what specific details did not match the records.
According to Standifer, homeless people in Ohio have the option to vote by using a homeless shelter or a service center address that accepts mail. The state has provided this method to ensure that homeless individuals are able to exercise their right to vote.
Ohioans from all income brackets are affected by the purge. Your voter status can be canceled if you fail to vote for four years and do not respond to letters from your Board of Elections after changing your mailing address. Additionally, if you do not vote for six years, you risk being eliminated from the voter rolls even if you haven’t moved.
According to Case Western Reserve University professor of elections law, Atiba Ellis, purges may be a topic of controversy but they serve a specific purpose.
According to Ellis, the states hold a significant level of discretion when it comes to managing elections, including voter registration and maintaining voter lists.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio and other groups took legal action against the practice of list-maintenance, arguing that it violated two important voting laws: the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. According to the NVRA, removing a voter from the list solely for failing to vote is prohibited.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court made a 5-4 decision stating that Ohio’s practice of purging infrequent voters from their registration rolls was considered valid. However, the reason behind the purge was due to the state’s mailing process being deemed unsatisfactory.
According to the professor, maintaining accurate lists is typically required by federal law, and states are expected to make a sincere effort in this regard. However, as he pointed out, managing a large database can become quite challenging.
According to Perlatti, their intention is not to eliminate any eligible voter or deprive those experiencing homelessness of their voting rights. However, they are obligated by law to adhere to this procedure.
The director emphasized the importance of having a registration address to precinct individuals and ensure they receive the correct ballot. While they do not want to promote disenfranchisement, it is crucial to know where individuals are currently residing to update their registration accordingly. This is especially important for those in shelters or who may frequently move locations. The goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to vote and have their voice heard.
In 2024, a resident of a shelter registered to vote, but surprisingly, they are still on the purge list. Perlatti has promised to investigate the reason behind this.
Standifer is determined to find a solution to the issue of voting being a civil right that is not being fully exercised.
Standifer expressed her incredulity, “How can we locate these individuals and inform them that they are on the purge list?”
According to Perlatti, this news piece aims to spread awareness about the purge list and ensure that people are informed about it. Additionally, it will enable shelter officials to notify their clients, thereby helping them prepare accordingly.
Standifer strongly advocates for the elimination of the voter purge process. He believes that the process targets individuals who are going through tough situations and have complicated lives, which ultimately results in them being removed from the voter rolls.
Despite our efforts to contact Sec. of State Frank LaRose regarding the issue and possible solutions to assist homeless individuals, we did not receive a response.
Discovering if you are going to be purged can be a daunting task, but there are certain signs to look out for. One of the most obvious signs is if you are being singled out for your beliefs or actions. People who hold opposing views may be hostile towards you, and your superiors may question your loyalty or work performance. Another sign is if your access to information or resources is limited, indicating that you are being sidelined or excluded from important decisions. Additionally, you may notice that your colleagues or friends are avoiding you or acting differently towards you, which could be a sign that they have been instructed to distance themselves from you. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to stay alert and take precautions to protect yourself from being purged.
You can view the complete roster of registrations that are on the verge of being canceled by visiting the Registration Readiness website of the SOS. The website can be accessed through this link.
If you discover that your name is on the list, you will be required to update your voter registration. This can be easily accomplished by clicking on the provided link. Alternatively, you can contact your local Board of Elections either by phone or in person to inquire about your status.
Make sure to check the SOS page if you haven’t voted recently and are not on the purge list to confirm your registration status.
Fortunately, if you have been purged from the voter list, you can still re-register and cast your vote in the upcoming presidential election. The purge is scheduled on July 22, but you have until Oct. 7 to register again and ensure your participation in the election.
Combatting the Purge Phenomenon
The issue of purges is one that has plagued society for many years. It is a phenomenon that involves the sudden dismissal of individuals from their positions or roles. This can be due to various reasons such as political belief, ethnicity or even gender. The fight against this phenomenon is ongoing and requires the participation of all members of society. It is essential to educate individuals on the importance of diversity and the negative impact of purges on society. Organizations and governments should also have policies in place to prevent and combat purges. This will not only promote equality and fairness but also lead to a more productive and harmonious society.
According to the rules, LaRose is required to publish a list of all the individuals whose names he is removing from the voter rolls prior to the registration deadline, which he duly did this year. However, he failed to do so last year.
Democrats have reported that around 16,000 voters were mistakenly labeled, despite LaRose’s initial plan to remove roughly 140,000 names. This is not the first instance of such an error occurring.
In 2019, News 5 had the opportunity to interview the secretary about the difficulties faced during the previous voter registration drive.
During the time, LaRose stated that more than 10,000 individuals expressed their desire to remain a registered voter in Ohio by taking action, which involved visiting our website or filling out the form and sending it in.
According to a recent report by the New York Times, the mentioned list managed to attract an additional 30,000 voters.
After examining the work of a particular vendor, it was discovered that over 1,400 names were mistakenly added to the list. As a result, the League of Women Voters and other organizations urged the postponement of the removal in 2019. Several activist groups have contacted News 5, expressing their initial apprehensions regarding the list, citing concerns about inaccuracies in the names.
Last year, State Representative Bride Sweeney (D-Cleveland) expressed her opinion on voter eligibility. She firmly believed that it should not be the responsibility of voters to ensure that they are not removed from the voter rolls. According to her, it is the responsibility of the state to avoid arbitrarily removing individuals who have taken the initiative to register themselves as voters.
According to LaRose, Ohio’s Secretary of State, the state’s aim is not to eliminate any valid voters. Rather, the objective of the process is to ensure the security of Ohio’s elections.