Ohio’s new voter ID law challenged by lawsuit

The new law allows one drop box per county, changes from seven to four the number of days after an election a voter has to prove identity that wasn’t proven at the polls and shortens the timeframe during which a voter may apply for and cast absentee ballots. The law also allows state ID cards to be issued for free to any person 17 and over.

According to a CNN survey 64% of voters – including 65% in minority populations, 69% independents and 65% moderates—said that requiring a voter ID makes elections fairer. An NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll showed that 79% of voters believe a government-issued voter ID should be required to vote—57% of them Democrats.

Gov. Mike DeWine, after signing House Bill 458 into law on Friday, made the following statement:

“Election integrity is a significant concern to Americans on both sides of the aisle across the country. At the same time, I have long believed that Ohio does a good job of administering elections, as we have provided ample opportunities to cast votes while avoiding the problems we have seen in recent federal elections in other states.”

In praising the Ohio General Assembly for their work, DeWine said, “Legislators included our suggestions to expand access to valid photo IDs and to maintain Ohioans’ ability to cast absentee ballots without the more restrictive identification requirements that were debated.”

Democracy Docket responded to Dewine’s endorsement with criticism:

🚨NEW: @clevhomeless, OH @AFTunion, OH @ActiveRetirees & @unionveterans sue Ohio over new voter suppression law #HB458. The orgs argue that the law imposes "discriminatory burdens on the fundamental right to vote" in violation of the 1st & 14th Amendments. https://t.co/SFUWqKchcb

— Democracy Docket (@DemocracyDocket) January 6, 2023

“NEW: @clevhomeless, OH @AFTunion, OH @ActiveRetirees & @unionveterans sue Ohio over new voter suppression law #HB458. The orgs argue that the law imposes ‘discriminatory burdens on the fundamental right to vote’ in violation of the 1st & 14th Amendments.” –Democracy Docket

But, as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose points out, “Ohioans are clearly supportive of strict photo ID for voting, and we have found a common-sense way to make it happen that ensures voters are not disenfranchised.”

The bill eliminates August special elections and early voting on the Monday before Election Day, which LaRose said will better allow county boards of elections to prepare for Tuesday elections.

He continued by saying, “No piece of legislation is a silver-bullet solution, but we are once again showing Ohioans that we take their concerns seriously and are dedicated to continuously improving our elections.”

Elias’ law firm lost a ballot box observer lawsuit in Arizona during November’s general election. Elias was Hillary Clinton’s top campaign lawyer during her run for the presidency in 2016, is the operative who commissioned the infamous Steele Dossier which was at the heart of the Russia collusion hoax Democrats used to try to unseat President Donald Trump and worked to force state election law changes during the 2020 elections.