Ohio lawmakers have approved legislation that would require absentee voters to submit a copy of a photo ID when returning their ballots, a move Republicans say will strengthen election security but that critics argue could create new hurdles for voters.
The law will take effect in time for the November 2027 elections.
The measure, House Bill 472, is one of two election-related proposals Republicans advanced this month. The Ohio House also approved a constitutional amendment that would enshrine the state’s existing photo ID requirements for in-person voting in the Ohio Constitution.
Under current Ohio law, voters requesting an absentee ballot can verify their identity by providing information such as the last four digits of their Social Security number or their driver’s license number. The new legislation would largely preserve those requirements for requesting a ballot but add a new step when casting one. Voters would be required to include a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, when mailing back their absentee ballot. Alternatively, they could hand-deliver the ballot and present a photo ID to election officials in person.
The legislation would also create a new online absentee ballot application system. Ohio voters currently must obtain and complete a paper application to request a mail ballot. Under the proposal, the Ohio secretary of state’s office would establish an online portal allowing voters to submit a request electronically by uploading a photo ID and a photograph of themselves.
Several categories of voters would be exempt from the photo ID return requirement. Military members and overseas voters, people with severe medical conditions or disabilities, former inmates, and voters with sincere religious objections could continue verifying their identity using personal identifying information. Lawmakers also added exemptions for voters facing mobility limitations or other significant obstacles that prevent them from obtaining a photo ID or making a photocopy of one.
Republicans have framed the changes as a way to align absentee voting with Ohio’s existing photo ID requirements at polling places and boost public confidence in elections.
“It is important that all voters, regardless of how or where they vote, with few exceptions, show a photo ID when they vote to verify that they are indeed who they claim to be,” GOP state Sen. Kristina Roegner said. “Confidence and democracy depends on confidence in our voting process. Requiring photo ID is a great way to verify identity and strengthen public trust.”
The proposal has also drawn criticism from election officials and Democrats, who warn it could make absentee voting more difficult, particularly for older Ohioans who rely on voting by mail.
“This legislation will not prevent fraud and will make voting more difficult for groups, especially our seniors,” said Democratic Ohio state Sen. Willis Blackshear Jr.
Opponents also questioned whether the new requirements address a significant problem. State officials have reported relatively few cases of voter fraud in Ohio.
“Voter fraud is incredibly rare, and when it does occur, usually it is not the result of someone attempting to impersonate another individual,” Blackshear added.
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Former Attorney General Dave Yost announced six voter fraud indictments in 2024 after his office reviewed roughly 600 referrals from the secretary of state’s office. Those cases involved allegations that noncitizens cast ballots between 2008 and 2020.
The bill has been sent to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) to be signed into law.