Senate Passes Photo ID for Mail In Ballots

COLUMBUS—During an extended voting session that ran late into the evening, Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) defended the addition of several amendments that ensures a uniform standard of voter ID across the state and further secures Ohio’s elections.

HB 472 provides free ID and documentation to the homeless and passed the House almost unanimously, 91-1. Once in the Senate, the General Government Committee further strengthened the bill by adding photo ID requirements for absentee and mail-in voters in a sub-bill, mirroring laws currently in effect for in-person voting.

“I have been working on photo ID requirements since authoring the photo-ID language in House Bill 458 in the 134th General Assembly,” said Senator Gavarone. “And I believe we need to make sure we have the highest ID standards across the board—in person and absentee.”

The bill creates an online portal, managed by the Secretary of State’s office, where a voter may request an absentee ballot with a “live-capture” of their ID. If using a desktop or other technology not capable of the “live-capture” option, voters may upload a copy of their photo ID, in a convenient, secure manner.

Alternatively, voters who request their absentee ballots by mail, can provide a photocopy of their ID when they request the ballot, when they mail their ballot back, or if they prefer to drop off their ballots in person, they may show their ID to the Boards of Elections. The bill also provides that a voter may show their photo ID when curing a provisional ballot at the Board of Elections in the four-day period after Election Day, as maintained in current law.

To help voters obtain a photocopy, the bill specifies that voters will be able to acquire a free photocopy from all of the following entities:

• Public libraries;
• Registrar of Motor Vehicles;
• Boards of Elections; and
• Secretary of State.

The sub-bill further includes exceptions from the photo ID requirements for a very narrow set of individuals. These exceptions are the following:

• Those with sincere religious objections;
• Those serving or temporarily living overseas;
• Those who are confined in jail;
• Those who are unable to obtain or provide a photo ID because they meet one of the following qualifications;
• They have an infirmity, severe medical condition, or physical disability;
• They lack mobility; or
• They face another "material obstacle," as specified in the voter's affidavit.

Voters who claim an exception must submit a signed affidavit, under penalty of elections falsification, attesting to the exception, and provide an ID number.

The sub-bill further clarifies that images of a voter’s photo ID will not be a public record and are not subject to a records request. Additionally, the bill’s photo ID requirements would go into effect for the November 2027 General Election, to allow time for proper implementation.

"Whether you vote by mail, early in person, or on Election Day, we should be taking every step we can to ensure the vote is legal and secure,” added Senator Gavarone. “With Ohio providing free state IDs to citizen residents, providing proof of who you are is easy and secure. House Bill 472 was already great piece of legislation and with these crucial additions, it has become even better."

Sub-HB 472 passed out of the Senate and was concurred on by the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to Governor DeWine for signature.

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