Foes line up against Ohio’s removal of inactive voters

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Opponents are lining up to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out Ohio’s system for removing inactive voters from the rolls.

The briefs Monday argue the system is illegal. They came from 12 other states and the District of Columbia; 27 black congressional representatives; 17 former Justice Department officials; 36 former and current county election administrators; and Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

The American Civil Liberties Union and New York-based public advocacy group Demos say the procedures violate the National Voter Registration Act. They sued and won in lower court. The state has appealed.

Ohio’s rules target registered voters who fail to vote in a two-year period for eventual removal from registration rolls, even if they haven’t moved and remain eligible. Ohio argues maintaining up-to-date voter rolls helps ensure election security.