Click Introduces Citizen Initiated Voter Integrity Act

COLUMBUS – State Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery) recently introduced the Citizen Initiated Voter Integrity Act to increase accuracy and efficiency in maintaining the accuracy of Ohio’s voter registration rolls.

The bill, HB 457, would allow citizens, when registering to vote at a new address in Ohio, to declare any former addresses at which they are currently registered. In doing so, voters would authorize their board of elections to locate and merge their voter file into their registration at the new address, thus avoiding a duplicate registration being entered into the voter registration roll. 

“This bill creates a more conspicuous and convenient method for voters to assist in eliminating clutter from the rolls,” Click said. “It’s a common-sense proposal that should equip elections officials with another tool in the belt to carry out their responsibilities and increase confidence in Ohio’s elections.” 

While there is currently an ‘authorization to cancel’ form available to voters to solve this same problem, that form is rarely completed, and the process of eliminating duplicate registries without it is neither simple nor instantaneous. 

The legislation is scheduled for hearing in the House Government Oversight Committee in the coming weeks.