Governor DeWine did not any mince words when he announced his veto: “House Bill 472 would not discourage fraud, would not add any real security, and would create an additional and significant burden for Ohioans who vote by mail.” In addition, DeWine told Ohio Republicans that the bill is not needed “because Ohio does an excellent job running elections” and the bill would pose a burden to voters without any real benefit.

A bipartisan bill originally, HB472 aimed at waiving fees for state IDs and birth certificates for homeless individuals. It was later amended by Ohio Republicans to require a copy of photo ID for absentee (mail-in) voting. However, the bill later morphed into a controversial election law regarding absentee ballot photo ID requirements. 

The bill utilized vague, confusing language to create a photo ID verification portal and/or required Ohio voters to submit a photocopy of their drivers’ license when voting by mail. The bill created a significant technological challenge by proposing an online portal for verification, an unfunded mandate for boards of elections that required voters submit both a screen capture of an ID and a face video recording. In addition, requring photo IDs to be included in mail-in ballot envelopes would have opened Ohio voters to possible identity theft.

Veterans, people with disabilities, rural Ohioans, seniors, and student voters who are more likely to rely on absentee voting would have been the most affected if HB472 would have become law. Ohio Republican legislators were willing to disenfranchise their own voters who have utilized mail-in voting that has been proven to be an already safe and secure system.

ODP Chair Kathleen Clyde Statement:

“While Ohio’s elections are safe and secure, let’s be clear what this push is really about: a partisan power grab by Republican politicians who are so desperate to cling to power that they are willing to make it harder for eligible voters to exercise their fundamental right to vote. Ohio’s elections are free from widespread fraud, with Republican leaders themselves praising them as the ‘gold standard.’

“Ohio Democrats are committed to safeguarding Ohio’s elections while ensuring every eligible Ohioan can cast a ballot free from unnecessary barriers. Instead of wasting time on legislation aimed at solving a problem that does not exist, Ohio Republicans should focus on lowering costs and addressing the real challenges facing Ohio families.”