Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has set up a working committee on the modernization of the voter register in Ohio,

This according to Secretary of State Frank LaRose will “create accurate voter rolls, prevent voter fraud and improve efficiency in local Board of Elections”.

The Secretary of State, who was accompanied to the media briefing by Senator Nathan Manning (R) and Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D) said that, “Ohio’s current voter registration system is antiquated. State and federal law both require Ohio to maintain accurate voter lists. It’s a responsibility that has been carried out by Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State for decades.”

According to him, “Ohio must leverage the technology available to properly carry out our responsibility to follow the law and maintain accurate voter lists, while at the same time increasing civic engagement.

“Ohio is ready to begin embracing technology that will improve our voter registration system. Currently, the default setting to register to vote requires Ohioans to actively choose to do so. However, each year voters interact with state government many times and in many ways.

“By using the available technology, there is an opportunity to reverse that default setting and use those interactions to update voter registration information — essentially transforming Ohio from an opt-in voter registration state to an opt-out voter registration state.

“This will allow Ohioans to register more easily and have their information updated, or not participate if they so choose,” he said.

Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D) described the modernization as “an issue that is good for all the parties. We have the technology to do it now. I am very excited about this working group and hoping we get something done this year or next year”.

Also Senator Manning (R) said, “It is something I am very passionate about. Voter registration is very important. I hope we can get there with the working group. We have the technology and it will make the job easier for people. We want to make sure there is no voter’s fraud and people are living and voting at the right place.”