OHIO — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed legislation that would have required voters to provide photo identification when casting absentee ballots.
House Bill 472, sponsored by State Rep. Jodi Salvo, R-Bolivar, would have required absentee voters to present a driver’s license or state-issued identification either when requesting an absentee ballot or when submitting the ballot in person.
In his veto message, DeWine said the measure would not discourage voter fraud or provide meaningful improvements to election security.
The bill also called for the Ohio Secretary of State, county boards of elections, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and public libraries to provide free copies of voters’ photo identification.
Additionally, House Bill 472 would have required the Ohio Secretary of State to establish a secure online portal by September 2027 that would allow voters to apply for absentee ballots electronically.
The veto comes after the Ohio Senate approved the bill by a 23-10 vote earlier this month. The Ohio House later voted 60-34 to concur with the Senate’s changes before sending the legislation to the governor.
