A Dane County, WI, judge today declined to adopt the sweeping rule Law Forward sought in Honig v. WEC. Instead, the court confined its ruling to a single, very narrow set of facts and circumstances. Wisconsin voters Billie Johnson and Kendall Post intervened in the case, with the support of CEC, to oppose Law Forward’s broad request.
News
CEC in the News: Voter Rolls — Public Records or State Secrets?
A recent syndicated column from Hans von Spakovsky and J. Christian Adams highlights the Supreme Court fight over voter-roll transparency in PILF v. Nago. The column presents the circuit split as an important question for the Supreme Court because it determines whether citizens and organizations can independently examine statewide voter rolls and evaluate list-maintenance practices.
CEC in the News: The Daily Signal Highlights CEC’s Supreme Court Brief in Voter-Registration Records Case
The Daily Signal highlighted CEC’s amicus brief in PILF v. Nago, identifying the case as one of several significant legal disputes that could come before SCOTUS. The Daily Signal specifically identified CEC, along with the Honest Elections Project and Judicial Watch, as organizations who filed amicus briefs in the case.
CEC in the News: The Federalist Highlights CEC’s Brief After 6th Circuit Allows Ohio’s Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement to Take Effect
The Federalist highlighted CEC’s amicus brief following the Sixth Circuit’s decision allowing Ohio to enforce its documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement while the state’s appeal proceeds. The Federalist emphasized the Sixth Circuit’s concerns with standing, mootness, and the timing of the district court’s injunction.
Statement by Lisa Dixon, CEC Executive Director, on 6th Circuit’s Order Permitting Ohio to Enforce Citizenship Requirement
“The Center for Election Confidence is pleased with the 6th Circuit’s common-sense decision in Red Wine & Blue v LaRose to permit Ohio to enforce its long-standing proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration during the appeals process.
As the Court recognized, changing the rules this late in the election process would create substantial administrative burdens and increase the likelihood of mistakes.
“Only American citizens should vote in American elections.”
6th Circuit Adopts CEC Arguments in Order Allowing Enforcement of Ohio’s Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement During Appeal
The 6th Circuit stayed a preliminary injunction preventing Ohio from enforcing House Bill 54’s documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement in the State’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles voter-registration process. A divided panel concluded that Ohio was likely to succeed in vacating the injunction on threshold jurisdictional grounds and that the remaining stay factors favored allowing the state to enforce H.B. 54 while the appeal proceeds.
CEC in the News: The Federalist Highlights CEC’s Sixth Circuit Brief Defending Ohio’s Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement
The Federalist highlighted CEC’s joint amicus brief with the Honest Elections Project supporting Ohio’s appeal of a preliminary injunction against the state’s documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement in its bundled Bureau of Motor Vehicles licensing and voter-registration process.
CEC Urges Supreme Court to Preserve Judicial Review of Census
In USF CRs v. Lutnick, CEC filed an amicus brief urging SCOTUS to note probable jurisdiction or summarily reverse a decision that leaves those challenging unlawful census methods with no meaningful opportunity to sue.
CEC to 6th Circuit: Stay Injunction Blocking Ohio’s Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement
In Red Wine & Blue v. LaRose, CEC, joined by HEP, filed an amicus brief urging the 6th Circuit to stay a preliminary injunction preventing Ohio from enforcing House Bill 54’s documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement in the State’s BMV process. NVRA requires states to offer voter registration to eligible individuals at the same time they apply for a driver license or state ID. The brief supports Secretary LaRose’s emergency motion for a stay pending appeal, arguing both that the district court lacked jurisdiction because the plaintiffs’ claims became moot and that the court misread Section 5 of the NVRA to displace Ohio’s authority to determine and enforce voter qualifications.
CEC in the News: The Center Square Highlights CEC Complaint Over Milwaukee Election Administration Failures
The Center Square highlighted a complaint filed by Milwaukee election observer Justin Gavery challenging a series of election-administration failures by the Milwaukee Elections Commission (CEC is supporting Mr. Gavery in his efforts). The complaint follows problems during Wisconsin’s August 11 primary, when Milwaukee election officials mistakenly downloaded audit logs instead of election results from five of nine tabulators at the city’s central count facility, delaying the reporting of unofficial results well beyond the statutory deadline.