HB 159 drastically reduces the acceptable forms of voter ID to allow only four forms of identification for voting: an Ohio driver’s license, an Ohio state ID card, a U.S. military ID, or U.S. passport.

Jurisdiction/Legislation Level

State

LCS Legislation Status

http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0159?OpenDoc...

Our Take on This Bill

Under current Ohio law, voters are permitted to use a variety of documents to identify themselves for the purpose of voting, including bank statements, paychecks, current utility bills, and government documents. Under HB 159, none of these forms of ID would be acceptable, further increasing the difficulty of many Ohioans to cast their ballots on Election Day. The ACLU of Ohio advocates for wide participation at the polls and sees this bill as additional, unnecessary barrier to the ballot box.

Bill Status

HB 159 drastically reduces the acceptable forms of voter ID to allow only four forms of identification for voting: an Ohio driver’s license, an Ohio state ID card, a U.S. military ID, or U.S. passport.

Committees

State Government and Elections (H)

Authors

Rep. Blessing (R), Rep. Mecklenborg (R)

Status

Failed

Bill number

HB 159