Voters make their choices in their voting booths on the early voting site. (Photo: Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
Republican Ohio lawmakers have submitted the bill Requiring absentee voters to provide a copy of their driver’s license or state ID starting in the November 2027 election. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for signing.
The Ohio Senate passed the bill 23-10. Ohio Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Twp., joined Ohio Senate Democrats in voting against the bill.
The Ohio House, by a 60-34 vote, agreed with the changes made to the bill.
Under the bill, absentee voters will be required to show identification when applying for a mail-in ballot or in person.
This Requires the Ohio Secretary of State, Board of Elections, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and public libraries to provide free copies of voter photo IDs.
It also requires the Secretary of State to create a secure online portal where voters can apply for an absentee ballot beginning September 3, 2027.
Changes have been made to Ohio House Bill 472 this week during a hearing of the Ohio Senate General Government Committee. The bill was originally intended to eliminate fees for copies of birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness.
Ohio Reps. Christine Cockley, R-Columbus, and Jodi Salvo, R-Bolivar, introduced the bill, which passed the Ohio House earlier this year with only a single dissenting vote.
Cockley expressed frustration with the changes made to the bill and asked that her name be removed from the bill, claiming that “Senate Republicans have taken control of the bill.”
“People experiencing homelessness should not be used to exert political pressure,” Cockley said. “A law intended to help individuals obtain the documents they need to stabilize their lives should not become a bargaining chip for unrelated political purposes.”
Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, said changes to the bill are needed to strengthen election integrity.
“It is important that all voters, regardless of how and where they vote, with limited exceptions, show photo ID when voting to verify that they are who they say they are,” Roegner said.
“Trust and democracy depend on trust in our voting process. Requiring photo ID is a great way to verify identity and strengthen public trust.”
Ohio Rep. Marilyn John, R-Richland, said Senate Republicans have made changes to the bill “that complement the framework established by SJR 10.”
“These changes include a package that ensures the integrity of the postal voting process and protects against voter fraud, while maintaining the ability for voters with physical and health problems to vote,” he added. John said.
But Ohio Democratic lawmakers argue it would hurt older citizens who tend to vote by mail.
“This legislation will not prevent fraud and will make it more difficult for groups, especially our seniors, to vote,” he said Ohio State Sen. Willis Blackshear Jr., D-Dayton.
“Voter fraud is extremely rare, and when it does occur, it is usually not the result of attempted impersonation.”
Former Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was born six indictments for voter fraud in 2024 after receiving 600 reports of alleged voter fraud from the Ohio Secretary of State.
The defendants were charged with voting on at least one occasion between 2008 and 2020, even though they were not U.S. citizens at the time.
“Mail-by-mail voting is secure and there is no evidence of fraud in our mail-in voting process.” said state Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington.
“There is no evidence that fraud occurs in the mail-in voting process here in Ohio. This amendment is half-baked and sloppy.”
Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, said there are security risks in sending a photo of an ID by mail.
“It can be intercepted,” she said. “It can be stolen. …Criminals can use your ID to commit fraud. They can open a bank account, they can take out a loan, they can do all sorts of things with your ID.”
Ohio Minority Leader Denmark Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, said the bill doesn’t solve the “real problem.”
“We are creating a real barrier for people to vote, especially seniors across Ohio, and it doesn’t make sense.” he said.
The Ohio Association of Elected Officials testified against the bill, saying there are many of them seniors and people suffering from chronic diseases or mobility limitations operate postal voting.
“For these voters, this requirement is not just an inconvenience. It is a significant barrier to voting,” said Antone White, director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.
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