American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio :: Action Alert

Criminal Justice

Urgent: They are coming for YOUR vote!

On March 15, 2011, Representative Robert Mecklenborg (R-Cincinnati) introduced House Bill 159, a restrictive photo ID bill that could disenfranchise thousands of Ohioans. Only one week after being introduced, H.B. 159 was rushed through the House.

H.B. 159 is now on its way to the Ohio Senate, and we need your help to stop it. Contact your State Senator today at (800) 282-0253 and tell them to vote no on House Bill 159. If you do not know who your Senator is, you can find that information at www.ohiosenate.gov.

H.B. 159 would require all Ohioans to show a photo ID when casting a ballot in person. This bill would make Ohio’s voter ID law the most restrictive in the country.

The bill provides vague language for those who cannot afford an ID to obtain a free one, but provides no process or funding for this. Cost analyses of similar laws in states with smaller populations have ranged from $18-$25 million to implement over three years.

Let us know once you contact your Senator and if you receive a response. You can contact us by email at contact@acluohio.org or by calling (216) 472-2200.

Read the ACLU of Ohio’s press release on H.B. 159.

For more information, go to our voting rights page.