A federal judge ruled on June 16, 2026, against the Trump Justice Department's request to defend Ohio's new voting law, House Bill 54 (HB 54), which mandates voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. found the DOJ's proposed filing to be redundant and untimely, stating it did not contribute new arguments to the case. The judge also denied a similar request from the America First Policy Institute, a conservative group supporting Ohio officials. The ruling comes ahead of a scheduled hearing on June 25 regarding a preliminary injunction sought by civil organizations challenging the law, which they argue violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Nearly 30% of Ohio voters register through the BMV, raising concerns about access to voting for eligible citizens without proof of citizenship documents.
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Federal Judge Rejects DOJ's Attempt to Support Ohio Voting Law
A federal judge has denied the Trump Justice Department's request to defend Ohio's House Bill 54, which requires proof of citizenship for voter registration. The judge found the DOJ's arguments redundant and untimely, ahead of a hearing on a preliminary injunction against the law scheduled for June 25. Voting rights advocates argue that the law could hinder access to voting for eligible citizens.
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Solomon Oliver Jr.
Frank LaRose
Charles Norman
Marc Elias
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Original Headline
Trump DOJ bid to defend Ohio's anti-voting law is useless and untimely, court rules
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Federal Judge Rejects DOJ's Attempt to Support Ohio Voting Law