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What you need to know about photo ID requirements in Ohio

By Hudson Brooklyn
What you need to know about photo ID requirements in Ohio

If you haven’t voted since 2022, it’s time to learn about Ohio’s new rules, including the photo ID requirement to vote in person

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If you haven’t voted since 2022, it’s time to learn about Ohio’s new rules, including the photo ID requirement for in-person voting.

In late 2022, Ohio’s GOP-controlled legislature passed several election law changes, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law in early 2023. The new rules came after former President Donald Trump’s criticism of the 2020 election results and widespread GOP concerns about election integrity.

Democrats criticized the changes, saying they would restrict voting access for older adults, students and rural residents.

A year later, the number of ballots rejected because the voter did not have ID rose from 698 in November 2022 to 3,820 in November 2023, according to the Ohio Department of State.

“Requiring valid ID to vote is convenient and supported by the vast majority of Ohioans,” said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who oversees the election. “Anyone who hasn’t voted since the 2020 election should check out Ohio’s list of acceptable IDs. Make sure you’re ready to make your voice heard in November.”

The first real test of ID requirements in Ohio will be this year’s presidential election, when millions more Ohioans go to the polls.

With these new rules, it’s more important than ever to have a voting plan, said Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. Here’s what you need to know:

Do I need a photo ID to vote in person in Ohio?

Yes. You must provide an unexpired photo ID to vote in person in Ohio, whether voting early or on Election Day.

What forms of ID are accepted for in-person voting in Ohio?

Ohioans must present one of these unexpired IDs to vote in person, either in advance or on Election Day:

  • Ohio Driver’s License (It is not necessary to provide your current address where you are registered to vote. It does not have to be a REAL ID.)
  • Ohio State ID Card
  • US passport or passport card
  • Military ID issued by the Ohio National Guard or the U.S. Government
  • US Veterans Affairs ID card
  • Provisional identification form from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (BMV)

Do I need a photo ID to vote by mail in Ohio?

No. A current photo ID is one of several accepted forms of identification for absentee voting in Ohio. Another accepted form is the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Here is the list of accepted forms of ID for requesting a mail-in ballot and returning a mail-in ballot:

  • The number of an unexpired Ohio driver’s license
  • The number of an unexpired Ohio State ID card
  • The last four digits of your social security number
  • A copy of one of these accepted forms of identification: an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, an unexpired state identification card, or a temporary identification form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles; a US passport or passport card; or a U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card, or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

Does my photo ID have to show my current address?

No. The address on your driver’s license or ID does not have to match the address where you are registered to vote.

Can I vote in Ohio with my student ID? What forms of ID are unacceptable for voting in Ohio?

No. You cannot vote with student IDs in Ohio. Other forms of unacceptable ID include:

  • An expired Ohio driver’s license
  • A driver’s license or ID card from another state
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth certificate
  • Insurance card
  • Electricity bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck or government check
  • County-issued veteran’s ID card
  • Digital driving license

How do I get a free state ID card?

Ohioans without a valid driver’s license can apply for an Ohio ID card at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles deputy registration office. A list of these locations can be found at publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office

Ohio ID cards are free for those 17 and older. In Ohio, both standard and federally compliant IDs, also known as REAL IDs, are accepted for voting.

To obtain a government photo ID, you must provide proof of your full name, date of birth, legal presence in the United States, Social Security number, and address. If you have changed your name, you will need to provide proof of this. A list of accepted documents can be found at bmv.ohio.gov/dl-identity-documents.aspx

More: Here’s how to get a free state ID under Ohio’s new election law

What happens if I don’t bring my ID with me to vote?

If you show up at the early voting center or your polling place without a valid ID, you will be asked to vote with a provisional ballot.

In order for this ballot to count, you must provide valid identification to your county’s board of elections within four days of Election Day. Alternatively, you can fill out an Affidavit of Religious Objection if you do not have a photo ID for religious reasons.

Who can I contact if I have problems casting my vote?

If you have questions about voting, you can contact the Ohio Secretary of State’s call center at 877-SOS-OHIO or your county elections office. A complete list of local locations can be found here: www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory

If you have any questions about voting, you can call or text 866-OUR-VOTE. It is led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. A Spanish-language option is available at 888-VE-Y-VOTA.

Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article.

Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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