Familiarize yourself with the identification types that are prohibited under Ohio law.
DELAWARE, Ohio – In a recent development, Ohio has implemented a new law regarding voter identification requirements, which will have an impact on the upcoming elections in Delaware County. Under the revised regulations, voters are required to present specific types of valid photo identification in order to cast their ballots.
The accepted forms of identification include:
- An Ohio driver’s license
- A State of Ohio ID card
- An interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- A US passport
- A US passport card
- A US military ID card
- An Ohio National Guard ID card
- A US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.
It is important to note that all photo IDs must meet certain criteria, such as having a valid expiration date, featuring a photograph of the voter, and substantially conforming to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or Poll Book.
There are some exceptions to the new rule.
- An unexpired Ohio Driver License, State ID Card, or Interim Documentation with a former address is acceptable if the voter’s current address is in the pollbook.
- A voter’s old, hole-punched driver’s license or state ID card can also be used as a valid form of identification for voting, as long as the expiration date has not passed.
- If a voter has changed their name and can provide proof of the legal name change, completes and signs Form 10-L, and is registered within the precinct, the name on the photo ID may be different from the reported change of name.
To ensure accessibility, Ohio has made provisions for obtaining a free ID. As of April 7, 2023, individuals who are 17 years and older can receive a state ID card at no cost from the Ohio BMV. For further information on obtaining an Ohio ID card without any charges, interested parties can visit the provided link.
These types of identification are not accepted under Ohio law:
- A driver’s license or photo identification card issued by a state other than Ohio,
- A Social Security card
- A birth certificate
- An insurance card
- A utility bill
- A bank statement
- A government check
- A paycheck
- Any other government document
- Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county board of elections.
In cases where voters do not possess any of the accepted forms of identification, they can still cast a provisional ballot. However, to ensure the counting of their provisional ballot, they must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day with a qualifying form of identification. In situations where individuals object to being photographed for religious reasons, they have the option to complete an affidavit of religious objection and have their provisional ballot counted.
As the state of Ohio approaches its voter registration deadline of July 10, 2023, it is crucial for residents to familiarize themselves with the new voter ID requirements.
Note: The information provided above is based on the current guidelines and requirements available at the time of writing and is subject to change.