Ohio’s recently passed voter ID law, which eliminates the option to use certain forms of identification, has raised concerns about voter suppression and the disenfranchisement of low-income communities.
Under the new law, only a limited set of IDs will be accepted for voting, including an Ohio driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, and certain forms issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This means that individuals without a driver’s license or passport, and who do not qualify for other forms of identification, will be unable to cast their vote on election day.
From the Guardian, “Black and brown communities have higher numbers of those communities who don’t have ID,” said Camille Wimbish, the election administration director at Ohio Voice, a civic engagement advocacy group. “This is gonna impact Black and brown voters, students, rural voters, military voters, seniors. I mean there’s really everyone who’s gonna be impacted by these substantial changes.”
This raises serious concerns about voter suppression, as elderly, disabled, and low-income communities may be effectively disenfranchised and unable to participate in the democratic process. The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and any measures that restrict this right must be carefully scrutinized and evaluated for their impact on vulnerable communities.
These changes to the law started on the first day of early voting for the upcoming May 2nd, 2023 Primary/Special Election. It is important for Ohio voters to be aware of these changes and ensure they have an acceptable form of ID when they go to vote. We must stand together to protect the fundamental right to vote for all Ohioans. The Ohio Green Party is committed to advocating for fair and just elections, and we encourage all Ohioans to join us in this fight. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts. Visit https://ohiogreens.org/join/ to join our movement for fair elections in Ohio.