Another Blow to Ohio’s Unhoused, Elderly, Student and Disabled Voters, This Time from a Federal Court

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 10, 2024

Chart credit – Policy Matters Ohio

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

In January 2023, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 458, one of the most restrictive voter ID laws in the country. It also tightened several absentee voting rules.  On January 8th, 2024, a federal court upheld HB 458, affecting thousands of unhoused, elderly, student, and disabled voters.

Using a pretext of “election integrity”, the Ohio legislature eliminated non-ID documentation like utility bills, and mandated a state-issued ID, military ID, or a passport.  It eliminated student IDs, a tactic used by red states to suppress younger voters. And it forces those without ID – including the elderly & disabled – to apply in person and with all the necessary documents, for a state issued ID.

Theoretically, voters without ID can vote, but only by provisional ballot, which counts ONLY if the voter returns with the proper ID.  HB 458 restricted that too, shortening the time to return from 10 days to four.  

Nevertheless, the U.S. District Court judge ruled that voting in Ohio remained “very easy,” the changes were “minimal”, and that the plaintiffs failed to show a burden on voters in the state’s 2023 elections.   

A new challenge filed January 5th by a physically disabled voter and the League of Women Voters challenges HB 458’s restriction of absentee ballot delivery by only immediate family members, and excluding grandchildren, neighbors and caregivers.   

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
ACLU OH – HB 458: WHAT CHANGED AND WHY DOES IT HARM OHIO VOTERS?
Courthouse News Service –  Ohio election reform bill that includes ID requirement ruled constitutional by federal judge
Cleveland.com – Federal judge tosses lawsuit challenging Ohio’s voter ID law
Federal District Court, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, EASTERN DIVISION (via Courthouse News) – NORTHEAST OHIO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS; OHIO FEDERATION OF TEACHERS; OHIO ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS; UNION VETERANS COUNCIL; AND CIVIC INFLUENCERS, INC. v. FRANK LAROSE
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Securing an Ohio ID
Ohio Capital Journal – Voting, disability rights advocates claim Ohio photo voter ID law violates federal disabilities law

Groups Taking Action:
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans, Union Veterans Council, Policy Matters Ohio, Ohio Voting Rights Coalition, League of Women Voters OH

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #OhioPolitics