House Bill 472

Ohio Republicans are assessing if they can override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of legislation requiring photo ID for mail-in ballots. DeWine argued the bill, House Bill 472, would create unnecessary burdens without improving election integrity, while Republicans claim it addresses public demand for stronger safeguards. Advocacy groups and lawmakers disagree on the bill’s impact on voters.

Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 472 in Ohio, which would have required photo ID for mail voting. He cited challenges for voters and unnecessary restrictions, as bipartisan elections officials and the Ohio chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons opposed the bill. The veto can be overridden by the legislature.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 472, which would have required absentee voters to provide a copy of their driver’s license or state ID starting in 2027. The bill, passed by Ohio Republicans, aimed to strengthen election integrity but was criticized by DeWine as unnecessary and burdensome, with no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Ohio.

Ohio secretary of state candidates differ on a bill requiring photo ID for absentee ballots. Republican nominee Robert Sprague supports the amended bill, while Democratic nominee Allison Russo and Libertarian nominee Tom Pruss urge Gov. Mike DeWine to veto it, arguing it weakens voting rights. The bill originated from GOP negotiations to include a constitutional amendment on in-person voter ID.

Ohio lawmakers passed several bills before summer recess, including voter photo ID measures, Medicaid reform, and a $4 billion capital budget. Other passed items included regulations for ticket sales and child care, while data center regulations failed to pass.