DELAWARE, Ohio — Delaware County Recorder Melissa Jordan says a recently-passed voter ID bill excludes the use of veteran ID cards issued by her office.
House Bill 458 was passed by the Ohio legislature earlier this month, and signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. The bill sets a photo ID for voting in Ohio elections. In order to vote, Ohioans must now present a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID.
In a release issued Monday, Jordan said the bill defines a military ID as “a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.”
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“Because the language of HB 458 limits eligible forms of military ID to those listed above,” said Delaware County Recorder Melissa Jordan, “it appears to inadvertently invalidate the usage of the Ohio County Recorder’s veteran ID card as a voter ID.”
Jordan added: “We began issuing Veteran ID cards in Delaware County in 2014, and successfully worked to make these cards a valid form of ID under Ohio law in 2016. I have been assured the exclusion of this valid ID from HB 458 was merely an oversight and the legislature is working to correct this error, so those who have defended our freedoms can continue to use this valid state ID while exercising their constitutional right at the voting booth.”
Former Delaware County Recorder and current State Senator Andrew Brenner (R-District 19) said: “I was made aware of the voter photo ID bill error that inadvertently left out the Veteran ID’s issued by the Recorder’s Office and have spoken with the bill sponsor, Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-District 2). She assures me that the matter will be fixed prior to the next election. I will stay on top of this very important correction needed on HB 458.”
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The county veteran ID program allows veterans to record their discharge documents with the recorder for safekeeping. Veterans are given an identification card that can be used to prove eligibility for a number of services, including:
- Identification
- Employment Applications
- Veteran Home Loans
- Veteran Hospital Services
- Student Loans
- Burial Benefits
- Store/Restaurant Discounts
To receive that ID, veterans must also show two forms of current and valid identification, most of which can also serve as voter ID
- An original or certified birth certificate
- ID card issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs
- US Military ID Card
- Social Security Card
- State issued CCW Permit/License
- State issued Driver’s License
- State issued ID Card
- Valid US Passport
You can learn more about the veteran ID program on the recorder’s website.