COLUMBUS, OH – Following breaking news late last week that FBI agents raidedthe Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a nonprofit organization focused on voter registration, civic engagement and community organizing, and visited the homes of current and former staff and volunteers, Ohio Democrats are forcefully speaking out and demanding more information on these actions by federal law enforcement.

Last week, Ohioans also saw Republicans in Columbus pass a resolution that will place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot codifying existing photo voter ID requirements for political gain, and a separate piece of legislation, creating new burdensome requirements for voters to provide an actual copy of their driver’s license or state ID when voting by mail, effective in November 2027. 

While the FBI seemingly has not responded to requests for comment on last week’s raids of an Ohio voting rights organization, read more:

Columbus Dispatch: ​​FBI raids Ohio voting rights group office in Cleveland

• Agents questioned volunteers and civil rights leaders with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative across the state, looking for evidence of alleged voter fraud, Ohio Organizing Collaborative Board Member Prentiss Haney said. MS NOW first reported about the raid on the nonprofit, which helps register voters and fights for ballot access.
• Haney estimated more than 100 agents questioned people currently and previously affiliated with the group across Ohio, including in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.
• “They were knocking on their doors. They were calling and demanding people to come outside without warrants and using political intimidation tactics, accusing them of alleged voter fraud,” Haney said. “Yes, there was a raid, but there was not just a raid. It was a full onslaught.”
• Ohio Democrats, including members of Congress, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Senate candidate Sherrod Brown and the state party, called the raid troubling and wanted more information.

Signal Ohio: What to know about the Ohio Organizing Collaborative after FBI searches

• Reports of the raid drew a swift round condemnation from many prominent state Democratic politicians, including U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown of Cleveland, governor candidate Amy Acton, U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, Secretary of State candidate Allison Russo and Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. They all said Ohioans should feel safe registering to vote in November.

WOUB: An Ohio voting rights group says it was raided by the FBI

• Key Democrats are speaking in support of OCC… Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde… also expressed concern over the situation. “With Election Day approaching, it is critical that eligible voters feel confident that they can register, cast a ballot, and participate in our democratic process without fear or confusion,” Clyde said in a statement.
• Multiple attempts have been made to get a comment from the FBI but the agency has not responded.

Daily Signal: Ohio Group Gets Visit From FBI Over Voter Fraud Investigation

• The Ohio Organizing Collective describes itself as having a vision “to organize everyday Ohioans, building transformative power organizations for racial, social, and economic justice” as well as “build a democratic multi-racial populist governing coalition in Ohio.”
• Thursday’s raid has drawn the outrage of Ohio Democrats, including Reps. Shontell Brown and Joyce Beatty, as well as Democrat nominee for governor Amy Acton and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is running against Republican Sen. Jon Husted in the 2026 special election. Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathleen Clyde also spoke out, as did Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

###

The post ICYMI: “Key Democrats” Continue To Voice Outrage After FBI Raids Ohio Voting Rights Organization appeared first on Ohio Democrats.