“OHIO, USA — All Ohioans will be required to have a state-issued ID when voting since Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill with multiple election-law changes earlier this month.
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose also supports the new law.
“Ohio has found ‘a common-sense way’ to impose a strict photo ID requirement without disenfranchising voters,” LaRose told the Associated Press.
WTOL 11 reached out to local board of elections offices for comment on the new law, but officials with both the Lucas and Wood county board of elections offices said they didn’t feel comfortable speaking on the new law until they receive official guidance from LaRose.
LaRose has said the policy change is a straightforward and secure way to prevent voter fraud.
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R, Bowling Green), who helped write the language in the bill, claimed the changes should not create any obstacles for voters. Ohioans who are 17 and older can obtain a free state-issued ID at their local BMV, she said.
Voting-rights organizations across Ohio have joined together to file a lawsuit against the state to stop the new law before May’s elections. The lawsuit claims the new law forces Ohio voters to jump through more unnecessary hoops and leaves some people disenfranchised.”
Read more here at WTOL.
