June 12, 2026

Deeply troubled’: Ohio political leaders react to report of FBI raid on progressive voting rights organization in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Several Greater Cleveland political leaders are reacting amid reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a progressive voting rights group.

According to NBC News, FBI special agents searched the OOC on Thursday as part of a Justice Department investigation into its voter registration efforts. OOC Board Member Prentiss Haney told the Associated Press Friday that agents seized documents and computer files, while spending hours questioning staff members.

Haney also told the AP that agents went to the homes of people who have worked with the organization, seeking interviews and information about alleged voter fraud. He accused agents of “intimidation tactics and harassment," and expressed concern that the investigation was designed to sow doubt in the coming elections.

In a statement to 3News, the OOC said, "For two decades Ohio Organizing Collaborative has worked to ensure that every Ohioan has a voice in our democracy. The organization is proud of its work, stands by its program and staff, and will not be deterred from carrying out its vital mission."

We have also reached out to the FBI for more information.

The OOC, formed in 2007 says its mission is "to organize everyday Ohioans, building transformative power organizations for racial, social, and economic justice. Our vision is to build a democratic multi-racial populist governing coalition in Ohio." 

In response to the news of the raid, several local and federal leaders have issued statements denouncing the move by the FBI.

"I am deeply troubled by reports of federal law enforcement activity involving the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, an organization that has spent years helping Ohioans participate in our democracy.

"The right to organize, engage our communities, and help eligible citizens register and vote is fundamental to who we are as a nation. Any action that could have the effect of chilling that participation should concern every American.

"Ohioans deserve answers. If there is a legitimate basis for these actions, it should be disclosed. If not, the public has every right to question whether civic participation is being unfairly targeted.

"Encouraging eligible citizens to register and vote is not wrongdoing. Community organizing is not wrongdoing. Civic engagement is not wrongdoing. 

"Cleveland will always stand for civic engagement, constitutional rights, and every resident’s freedom to have their voice heard.

"We will be watching closely and calling for a full and transparent accounting of the facts."

"I am alarmed and outraged by reports that the Trump and Kash Patel FBI has raided the Ohio Organizing Collective in Cleveland.

"My office has contacted the FBI demanding information, and I am deeply concerned that this is an effort to use federal law enforcement to intimidate and halt voter registration and organizing efforts. This is an unprecedented attack on democracy: these raids must end immediately. 

"Unfortunately, this appears to be part of a systematic effort by Trump and Kash Patel’s FBI to attack our elections and perpetuate more myths of voter fraud – all to undermine and challenge any election result that Trump does not agree with. It’s an attack on the People.

"Let me be very clear: voter registration is not voter fraud. Urban communities voting is not voter fraud. Black Americans voting is not voter fraud.

"This appears to be a blatant effort to suppress and deny the vote of people in Northeast Ohio."

"I am deeply concerned that the FBI has raided the Ohio Organizing Collaborative in Cleveland in an apparent effort to use federal law enforcement to intimidate community organizers and halt voter registration. Voter registration and lawful voting by American citizens is not fraud.

"This egregious federal overreach is another example of coordinated efforts to suppress voting rights and voter registration, and it amounts to an unprecedented attack on our democracy.

"I condemn this shameful effort by President Trump and Kash Patel to question the integrity of our elections and perpetuate a false narrative of voter fraud. 

"Every citizen must be able to exercise their right to vote in free and fair elections, free of interference from bad actors.

"Reports of the FBI raiding a voting rights organization in Ohio are deeply disturbing and are a transparent attempt at silencing Ohioans and their ability to vote in free and fair elections. Federal law enforcement should never try to intimidate eligible voters from exercising their right to participate in democracy. The FBI should immediately make public any and all activities around these raids in Ohio. For years, Ohio has had safe and secure elections that have been administered in a bipartisan fashion. Any attempt to intimidate Ohio voters is wrong, and will not work. Millions of Ohioans are ready to hold Washington politicians accountable for voting time and again to raise the cost of gas, groceries, and utility bills." 

"I am deeply troubled by reports that FBI agents raided an Ohio voter registration organization in Cleveland. Any attempts by federal law enforcement to intimidate eligible Ohioans from registering to vote are unacceptable. Both Republicans and Democrats attest to the security of Ohio’s elections, and it is important that eligible Ohio voters feel safe registering to vote and casting their ballots this November."

3News also reached out to the Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office and received the following quote from Communications Director Dan Lusheck: "We appreciate the work of our federal law enforcement partners and stand ready to continue assisting them at any time. We do not have any additional information to share regarding this investigation."

By:  Dave DeNatale and Hunter Bertram
Source: WKYC

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