r/OSU • u/Lyuokdea • Oct 02 '24

Pro-Tip Pay Attention to Some Recent Ohio Voting Laws that May Affect College Student's Ability to Vote

If you are planning to vote in Ohio, note that you CANNOT use an out of state drivers license as your ID to allow you to vote. This was a recent change in the law (2023), so this will be the first major election it applies to.

You also WILL NOT be able to use the Ohio Digital ID to vote, you must have a physical ID.

The list of acceptable documents is here (listed below):

https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/

If you do not have one of these documents, there are some solutions (from best to worst):

(1) You can still vote absentee! This is probably the easiest way to still vote, but you will need to request your absentee ballot soon. The deadline is 29 October, but it is recommended to request the application by 22 October, to make sure you receive your documents and are able to get them returned by the election date.

(2) You can go to the BMV and apply for an identification card (you will need to bring the appropriate documentation to get this card from the BMV). Identification cards (without driver's licenses) are free, and the temporary card that you obtain is a legal form of ID.

(3) In a worst case scenario, where it is election day and you haven't done (1) or (2). You should still go and vote with a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to be counted, you will have to bring an appropriate form of ID to the election office within 4 days after the election.

If you have any friend's from out of state who are planning to vote in Ohio, please share this info with them as well!

  • Ohio driver's license;
  • State of Ohio ID card;
  • Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV;
  • A US passport;
  • A US passport card;
  • US military ID card;
  • Ohio National Guard ID card; or
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

All photo IDs must have the following:

  • An expiration date that has not passed;
  • A photograph of the voter;

  • The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book

  • **NOTICE**: An unexpired Ohio Driver License, State ID Card, or Interim Documentation with your **former address IS an ACCEPTABLE** form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook.

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u/VardellaTheWitch Oct 02 '24

Excellent info! I'll add a few more little details:

  • for our veteran students, the digital Veterans Identification Card is the only digital ID that is accepted, but you must open it in the app, not just show a screenshot. Also some military/veterans IDs do not have expirations, and that is still acceptable.

  • poll workers have been trained not to look at the address on you ID, just to rely on the address you tell them. If an election worker tries to question you about that, ask for the Voting Location Manager.

  • If you state an address that is different than where you registered (like you moved but didn't update your registration), you may end up being sent to a different polling place. Provisional ballots cast at the wrong location will not be counted.

10

u/VardellaTheWitch Oct 02 '24

Just thought of one more thing that may effect some students - name change. Bring your marriage certificate or court order if you have had a name change such that your ID and voter registration names are different.