Challenges of Verifying Citizenship: Joshua Bogdan's Story

Joshua Bogdan, a native of New Hampshire, has spent most of his life in the United States, with a brief visit to Canada during his seventh-grade year to see Niagara Falls. Despite his strong ties to the U.S., verifying his citizenship for the local elections last fall presented challenges. The process of proving citizenship can be complex and demanding, as Bogdan experienced firsthand. In Columbus, Ohio, individuals like Bogdan faced hurdles in obtaining birth and death certificates from the Columbus Public Health Department. The need for proper documentation to establish citizenship is crucial in various official transactions and processes.