Key facts
- Ohio has enacted a new law requiring voters to provide a photo ID when voting by mail.
- The requirement will take effect before the November 2027 election.
- The bill, House Bill 472, was passed by the Ohio House and Senate.
- A separate measure, Senate Joint Resolution 10, to amend the state constitution regarding in-person voter ID requirements, also passed the House.
- The new law includes an online portal for absentee ballot applications, requiring a photo of the voter and their ID.
- Certain voters, including those with religious objections, military members, and individuals with disabilities, are exempt from the photo ID requirement.
Ohioans will soon be required to present a photo ID when voting by mail, a significant shift from previous policy. Republican lawmakers fast-tracked House Bill 472, which mandates this change for mail-in ballots starting with the November 2027 election. This new requirement exempts mail voting from the strict voter ID laws previously enacted for in-person voting following the 2020 election.
Republicans have framed the measures as essential for election security and voter confidence. State Senator Theresa Gavarone stated that photo ID is an important step in ensuring voters have confidence in election outcomes. However, Democrats have criticized the legislation, arguing that documented voter fraud is rare and that the changes are unnecessary and were rushed through the legislative process.
Democrats also suggested the Republican push for stricter voter ID laws, particularly for mail-in voting, is intended to mobilize their base voters for the upcoming November elections. Representative Dani Isaacsohn noted that voter ID amendments to the constitution have not been a topic of discussion among voters. House Speaker Matt Huffman defended the bill's timeline, stating that the delay until 2027 provides ample time for proper implementation and testing.
The new law also introduces an online portal for requesting absentee ballots, allowing voters to submit a photo of themselves and their ID. However, election officials and voting rights groups have raised concerns about the bill's rapid passage, potential privacy issues with the online portal, and the burden it may place on certain voters, particularly older Ohioans, who may lack the technical skills or access to comply. Exemptions are included for voters with religious objections, military personnel, individuals with disabilities, and those who were incarcerated.
Despite protests from Democrats, election officials, and the Ohio Election Officials Association, the bill passed along party lines. The Ohio House approved Senate Joint Resolution 10, which seeks to amend the state constitution to include existing photo ID requirements for in-person voting, putting it on the November ballot for voter approval. President Donald Trump also publicly supported the resolution, urging House members to vote in favor.