“Ohio’s illegal voter purges shouldn’t be getting Trump Justice Department’s blessing: Vanita Gupta”

Oped in Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Ohio appealed the ruling, and in a troubling about-face, the Trump Justice Department reversed its earlier opposition to Ohio’s actions and decided to support the state’s continued efforts to purge voters.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights proudly joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in submitting a “friend of the court” brief, arguing that the Supreme Court should be skeptical of DOJ’s new position, particularly given the length of time DOJ had opposed purge practices like Ohio’s.

The sudden shift in a longstanding position because of a change in political administrations validated the worst fears about the Trump administration.

It also raises real concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department’s historic role in protecting voting rights for all eligible voters. It could also have real consequences for the rights of thousands of Ohioans, and ultimately millions of Americans, to exercise their right to vote.

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