By Deba Uwadiae

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has assured Ohioans free State Identification, if they do not have one, to enable them to vote in the 2023 elections.

“I want them to know that if they don’t have a state ID, they have the ability to get one for free. Beginning here in a few weeks, they’ll be able to go to their driver’s license office, the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) office and get a free ID if they don’t already have one,” Secretary Frank LaRose told New Americans magazine while responding to question on the implementation of the reforms required under House Bill 458, including the requirement of photo ID for voting.

“The good news is that 98% of Ohioans, when they come to vote, present a photo ID. That’s the number that we’ve gotten repeatedly from our county boards of elections. And that’s the same in our urban areas and our rural areas.

“It has been consistent throughout the state for many years that 98% of voters bring a state ID or driver’s license. For that 2% that may not have one or have chosen not to present one when they come to vote, there is an opportunity to get one for free. And they should do so as soon as soon as possible.”

Secretary Frank LaRose recently issued Directive 2023-03, instructing Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections to immediately begin implementing the reforms required under House Bill 458 for the May 2023 primary election, including the requirement of photo ID for voting.

The Ohio General Assembly adopted the legislation in December 2022, and Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law in January of this year, making it effective three days after the start of early voting for the May primary election.

Other notable changes in the HB 458 include extending voting hours the week before Election Day,’ extending the absentee ballot request deadline to ensure voters get their ballot in time and allowing any 17-year old to serve as a poll worker.

“What we’ve done is laid out a very clear scenario for the boards of elections to follow. And then now one of the most important things that we can do, the boards of elections and the Secretary of State’s office is to make sure that Ohioans are educated about the process going forward and to make sure that we cut through some of the noise that’s out there, because I want Ohioans to know that it’s easy to vote, and it’s hard to cheat.”

“And then of course, the same opportunities for voting from home as an absentee voter exist. And so, if you prefer to be a voter who votes from home, then you can go to voteohio.gov. You can print off the form to request your absentee ballot. Now is the time to do that, because Election Day is right around the corner, this coming March,” Secretary Frank LaRose said.

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