Ohio's latest set of photo ID requirements for in-person voting are fully in effect for the upcoming election, marking a change in policy that voters need to be aware of before heading to the polls.
The ID requirement has been in place since last year, but with higher-than-usual turnout expected for the 2024 election, it is important to know what you need before the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline.
Acceptable ID types
When registering to vote in Hamilton County, voters will need to provide either an Ohio driver's license or Ohio state ID number. If someone is registering online, they must also provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. If they are registering with a paper application, however, they can use those four digits of their Social Security number in place of their driver's license or state ID number.
If someone is voting by mail, they will be asked to provide either the last four digits of their Social Security number, an Ohio driver's license or Ohio state ID number, or a copy of a passport or military ID card.
When it comes to voting in-person, whether early or on election day, a photo ID is required.
The specific forms of photo ID considered valid under the new law include:
- Ohio driver’s license
- Ohio state ID card, or interim ID issued by the BMV
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- A digital or physical U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
These acceptable forms of ID cannot be expired. Suspended licenses, as long as they are unexpired, are acceptable.
Ohio driver's license numbers, Ohio state ID numbers, Ohio Mobile IDs and the last four digits of someone’s Social Security number do not count as valid identification for voting in-person.
Don’t have an acceptable photo ID?
It’s not too late to receive a free state of Ohio ID card from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Individuals aged 17 and above can use a state ID card as the primary form of photo identification if they do not possess a driver's license.
Obtaining a state ID card in Ohio requires a visit to a deputy registrar licensing agency, where you will present acceptable identity documents for verification purposes.
On average, licenses and state ID cards arrive about 10 days after they're issued. Individuals are issued temporary identification in the meantime, which are valid for proof of identity and residence when voting.
What if my current information doesn’t quite match my ID?
Certain information, such as addresses and names, may not align between voter registration and an individual's ID. For instance, a person's legal address might differ from their current residence, or someone legally named "James" might have registered as "Jim."
Alex Linser, the deputy director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, told CityBeat that the information does not need to be exactly the same as long as poll workers can determine the voter’s identity.
“Common variations of your name are fine. The name does not have to match exactly, it just has to be close enough that the poll worker can look at that ID and be sure that you’re the same person standing in front of them,” Linser said.
Background on the changes
On January 6, 2023, Governor Mike DeWine signed Substitute Ohio House Bill 458, introducing these stricter photo identification requirements for voting. This bill was passed with the goal of enhancing the security and integrity of the electoral process, starting with the May 2023 Primary/Special Election.
Prior to House Bill 458, documents such as utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks or other government documents with the voter’s current address could be used as a form of voter ID. These documents no longer suffice.
