Group not tied to Ohio Secretary of State sending voter registration letters

A nonpartisan nonprofit called the Center for Voter Information is mailing voter registration forms to Ohio residents, prompting concerns about legitimacy. The letters resemble official government mail and claim some recipients may not be registered, though the organization has no ties to Ohio’s Secretary of State’s office or county election boards. Ohio’s Secretary of State Frank LaRose previously warned that the group’s mailings mimic official documents, potentially causing voter confusion. The Center for Voter Information, based in Washington D.C., is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit focused on increasing voter participation among unmarried women, youth, and people of color. While its forms are valid for voter registration, election officials like the Seneca County Board of Elections emphasize they have ‘no bearing’ on Ohio’s official voter status. The Madison County Board of Elections added that the letters are not ‘nefarious,’ though their unofficial origin has led some residents to question their validity. In 2020, the group sent absentee ballot applications to Ohioans, which LaRose confirmed were valid at the time. However, in 2022, LaRose criticized the organization for using inaccurate data, sending forms to wrong addresses, and misleading voters nationwide. The Center for Voter Information’s president, Tom Lopach, previously worked in Democratic political roles, including as chief of staff for Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Social media posts and calls to county boards of elections have surged as residents debate the legitimacy of the letters. Officials urge voters to verify their registration status independently, as the forms—while usable—do not confirm official government communication. The confusion highlights ongoing challenges in distinguishing between private voter outreach and official government correspondence.