Federal Judge Blocks Ohio DMV Voter Citizenship Proof Rule, State To Appeal
On August 25, 2026, U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. blocked enforcement of Ohio's new DMV proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, and the state said it will immediately appeal.[1]
Judge Oliver granted a preliminary injunction that bars Ohio from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when issuing or renewing a driver's license before offering voter registration.[1] The order found the state likely conflicted with the federal National Voter Registration Act by adding requirements to the motor-voter process.[1]
Ohio enacted House Bill 54 earlier this year to require documentary proof of citizenship at DMVs before offering voter registration.[1] Advocacy group Red Wine & Blue sued Ohio's secretary of state, arguing the law unlawfully adds to the federally governed motor-voter registration process.[1]
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the state will file an immediate appeal to defend the law as an election-integrity measure.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On August 25, 2026, Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. granted a preliminary injunction against enforcing Ohio House Bill 54's DMV proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration.
- The order bars Ohio from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when issuing or renewing a driver’s license before offering voter registration, citing likely conflict with the National Voter Registration Act.
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced the state will file an immediate appeal to defend the law as an election-integrity measure.
- The lawsuit, Red Wine & Blue v. Ohio Secretary of State, centers on whether the new state requirement unlawfully adds to the federally governed motor-voter registration process.
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