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Bill would require a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
A group of Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House plans to reintroduce legislation that would require government-issued photo identification cards to cast ballots.
Backers say the proposed law change will ensure only those eligible to vote in the state are participating in Ohio elections.
“This is a bill which I believe is very important for the state of Ohio for the sanctity of our election system, for the sanctity of making sure that it is one person, one vote and they are in fact residents and citizens of the United States,” said Rep. Andy Brenner, a Republican from Powell, primary sponsor of the legislation.
Under current law, residents must show a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID or an original copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that includes the voter’s name and current address to cast a regular ballot on Election Day.
Brenner and other lawmakers want to require a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot in person on Election Day or during the state’s early voting period.
Needy Ohioans would receive free state IDs. Brenner said the bill also would include religious exemptions for Amish residents and others who refrain from having their photos taken.
Proponents say the change is needed to prevent ineligible Ohioans from casting ballots. Chris Long, president of the Ohio Christian Alliance, cited statistics released by the Secretary of State’s Office earlier this year identifying more than 400 noncitizens who registered to vote in Ohio illegally, 44 of whom cast ballots.
Other instances of voter fraud have led to indictments in Hamilton County, while 90 cases of double voting were found in the Columbus area, among other irregularities in recent years, he said.
“... There’s a growing trend of voter fraud in the battleground state of Ohio,” Long said. “With 28 days of early voting still on the books here in Ohio, there is too much time for those who want to take advantage of election system to do so.”
But opponents say a photo ID requirement would hurt elderly, needy, disabled, homeless and other Ohioans, many of whom tend to side with Democratic candidates. They also say the requirement would be expensive to administer and that there are few instances of actual election fraud each year.
“If they want to really protect the vote, why aren’t they pushing for online voter registrations where you can verify instantly and know whether they’re qualified?” asked Peg Rosenfield, an elections specialist with the League of Women Voters of Ohio. She added, “I absolutely think they’re sincere and they want to protect Ohio’s vote. That’s what I’ve been [doing] for 45 years; we’re on the same page there. But I think the way they’re going about it is simply ineffective.”
Comparable photo ID legislation has been offered in recent general assemblies but has not received enough support for enactment. Backers attempted to force a floor vote on the issue in the Ohio House last session, via an unsuccessful discharge petition. The Ohio Christian Alliance also has mentioned the possibility of pursuing a ballot issue if lawmakers won’t act.
About 15 Republican lawmakers already have signed on as co-sponsors on the new legislation, Brenner said.