Louisiana’s voter registration law faces a legal challenge, Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement moves forward, and Georgia seeks election intervention — here’s what’s happening:
Welcome back to The Good, The Bad, The Ugly — your go-to source for the latest in voting rights. In Louisiana, a federal judge is allowing a legal challenge to the state’s proof-of-citizenship voter registration law. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a federal appeals court is allowing the state to enforce new proof-of-citizenship requirements for certain voter registrations ahead of the midterms. And in Georgia, the State Election Board called for federal intervention in the state’s election system just weeks before Election Day.
So, buckle up as we break down the key legal and policy developments affecting voting rights around the country.
The Good
A federal judge is allowing a challenge to Louisiana’s proof-of-citizenship voter registration law to move forward. The lawsuit challenges Act 500, which requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, arguing that the law creates unnecessary barriers and violates the U.S. Constitution. The judge allowed key constitutional claims to continue, including allegations that some voters were treated differently based on their national origin and that parts of the law are too vague for voters to know how to comply.
What’s Next: Act 500 remains in effect for now, but the lawsuit will continue as challengers seek to prove that portions of the law are unconstitutional.
The Bad
A federal appeals court allowed Ohio to enforce a new proof-of-citizenship requirement for some voter registrations less than two weeks before the deadline. The new requirement applies to nearly one-third of Ohioans who register to vote while applying for a driver’s license. In blocking the law, the lower court noted that election officials can continue to confirm applicants’ citizenship status outside the Bureau of Motor Vehicles without imposing additional administrative burdens, such as producing a birth certificate or U.S. passport. The appeals court decision put the lower court’s block on hold and reinstated the documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for some applicants on September 23, less than two weeks before Ohio’s October 5 voter registration deadline.
What’s Next: The requirement will remain in effect while litigation continues.
The Ugly
The Executive Director of Georgia’s State Election Board asked the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to intervene in the state’s election system just weeks before the midterms. Without the knowledge or approval of state election board members, the board’s executive director sent a letter to federal officials asking them to force complicated changes to Georgia’s voting machines and interfere with the state’s election processes. The request came just days before early voting began on October 13, raising concerns from election officials and experts about making significant changes so close to Election Day.
What’s Next: Georgia’s Secretary of State’s office continues to oversee the state’s elections, and it remains unclear what action — if any — federal officials will take in response.
