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Justice Department Urges Reversal in Ohio Voter Purge Case
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Justice Department is telling a federal appeals court that Ohio’s process for maintaining its voter rolls is illegally removing people.
Voting rights groups sued Ohio’s elections chief in April, claiming the state drops registered voters from its rolls based on their failure to vote.
A federal judge rejected the lawsuit last month, saying Ohio’s procedures ensure the integrity of its election process.
In an amicus brief filed Monday, the Justice Department says the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should reverse the lower court’s decision.
The department says federal law requires a voter’s removal when the voter becomes ineligible because of a change of residence, but only after the state confirms the move.
Ohio’s elections chief says the state manages its voter rolls according to state and federal law.