Ohio - Under House Bill 54, people who want to register to vote when they renew their drivers' license may notice a change. 

Under the new law, if someone wishes to register to vote at the BMV, they would first need to provide proof of citizenship in order to be offered a registration form. If they don't offer such proof, they will not be asked if they want to register to vote.
 

Tom McCabe, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, said, "It's an added step that's going to be required of potential voters, but it's also going to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote."

The Ohio legislature passed this update into law in March and it took effect in June. 

Currently, LaRose is facing a lawsuit from the activist groups Red Wine & Blue and the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans.

The state law doesn't make changes to what paperwork constitutes proof of citizenship, only codifies when a registrar will offer a registration form. However, the plaintiffs argue it's unnecessary and confusing, pointing out that you already have to attest to your citizenship when you vote. Red, Wine and Blue argue in their suit that this change could lead to confusion if a would-be voter is not aware they would need to proactively provide proof of citizenship to get a voter registration form. They say this creates a "burdensome" requirement and that the National Voter Registration Act requires people to have the opportunity to register when they renew their drivers' license with the "minimum" information necessary to verify eligibility. 

State Representative Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) noted that the bill also lacks clear instructions for Bureau of Motor Vehicles employees regarding what to look for or accept.

"In the provision, it's so broadly written, it doesn't really define what constitutes an example of citizenship or what level of citizenship you're providing," McNally said. 

McNally was part of a rally Tuesday night to call attention to the change, as well as express  concern over a proposed change to that federal law. Under the "SAVE ACT," additional documentation would be required to prove citizenship that could create additional confusion. That's because one clear implication is that if the name on your ID does not match your name at birth—such as after a marriage or divorce—you may need to present additional documentation, like a marriage license, in order to vote.

They argue that the bill violates several sections of the National Voter Registration Act. The groups believe this legislation could create obstacles for many Americans, particularly married or divorced women whose names may not match their other documents.

For people who are uncertain about the specific citizenship documents needed to register to vote, McNally offered advice on whom to contact for assistance.

"I would recommend calling the secretary of state, because I don't know that the BMV is going to know," McNally said. 

In response to the suit, LaRose's office issued the following statement: 

“Both federal law and the Ohio Constitution prohibit noncitizens from voting. But now dark money groups represented by D.C. operatives are challenging a law that prevents noncitizens from registering to vote at the BMV. It’s common sense that only U.S. citizens should be on our voter rolls. I won’t apologize for, or back down from the work we do to ensure the integrity of our voter rolls. We will win this case – just like we’ve fought off the other baseless actions that such groups have brought against us.”