Gov. Mike DeWine Vetoes Bill Requiring Mail-In Voters Show Copy Of ID To Vote
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have required absentee voters to provide a copy of their driver’s license or state ID starting with the November 2027 election.
“House Bill 472 would not discourage fraud, would not add any real security, and would create an additional and significant burden for Ohioans who vote by mail,” DeWine said Wednesday in his veto message. The Republican governor is serving his final months in office as he is term-limited. “This bill is not needed, because Ohio does an excellent job running elections.”
Ohio Republicans passed Ohio House Bill 472 two weeks ago after changes were made to the bill before the lawmakers went on summer break.
"We applaud Governor DeWine’s veto of this unnecessary bill, which would only add to voter confusion and voter suppression that the Republican-led legislature has created," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga.
The bill originally started as a bill that would waive fees for birth certificate copies for people experiencing homelessness, but was expanded to require absentee voters to show their ID either when they request an absentee ballot or if they submit their ballot in-person.