An 80-year-old Democrat from Cleveland, Lynn Brown, was one of thousands of Ohioans disenfranchised due to the state’s strict voter ID law. Brown, who typically votes by mail, experienced issues with identification when attempting to vote in person during the March primary. The law, enacted in 2023 as part of a wave of Republican-led voting restrictions, offers few options for voters to prove their identities, resulting in chaos during elections.
Since the law went into effect, more than 8,000 Ohioans have had their ballots rejected due to insufficient ID. The law requires unexpired, government-issued photo ID, making it among the strictest in the nation. Advocates criticize the lack of education initiatives surrounding the new law, leaving voters unaware of its requirements.
Ohio is one of 12 states that passed stricter voter ID laws following the 2020 election and claims of widespread voter fraud. The law, which only accepts four types of ID and does not allow expired IDs, poses challenges for many voters. The result is an increase in provisional ballots being used, but more often rejected due to ID issues.
Advocates argue that voter ID laws are often passed under the guise of addressing voter fraud, despite little evidence of it occurring. Critics claim these laws make voting harder for marginalized communities and disproportionately affect those who do not drive or have access to updated identification.
The strict voter ID requirements in Ohio and other states have raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement and the need for broader access to voting. Ohio’s upcoming elections, including a Senate race and congressional seat pickups, will be closely watched as voters navigate the challenges posed by the state’s stringent voter ID law.
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