Ohio

You can get a free state ID card in Ohio

The BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) issues state ID cards for free to residents aged 17 or over who don’t have a driver’s license.

Request your free state ID at any Ohio BMV license agency location.

You will be required to provide proof of:

• Legal name (including documentation of any changes)
• Date of Birth
• US Citizenship (for example: birth certificate, US passport, immigration paperwork, etc.)
• Social Security number (SSN) (if you have one)
• Ohio address

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Registered Ohio voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You must take extra steps for your ballot to count! 

How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count 

Appear in person at your county’s Board of Elections and present an accepted form of photo ID within 4 calendar days following Election Day.

Find your local office. 

If you don’t have an accepted photo ID because of a religious objection to being photographed, your ballot will count if you complete an affidavit of religious objection and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security numbers. You can complete the affidavit when you cast your provisional ballot or at your county’s Board of Elections within 4 days following Election Day. 

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VoteRiders is here to help! 
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Naturalized citizens who still hold an Ohio driver’s license or state ID card with a “non-citizen designation” should update their citizenship status and ID with the Ohio BMV as soon as possible.

Updated IDs for new citizens are free under Ohio law. Visit your local Ohio BMV license agency location to update your ID.

Citizens who do not update their Ohio-issued IDs before Election Day can present a US passport or passport card, Military identification, or Veteran Affairs ID card to vote a regular ballot.

If you present an Ohio driver’s license or state ID card with a “non-citizen designation” at the polls, you may be asked to also provide naturalization documents or to cast a provisional ballot. 

Provisional voters must update their citizenship status at the BMV and return with an updated ID within 4 days of Election Day. 

For your provisional ballot to count, you will need to:

1️⃣ Update your citizenship status and ID with the BMV.

2️⃣ Present your updated driver’s license or state ID card at at your county’s Board of Elections within 4 calendar days following Election Day. Find your local office.

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You must present a physical ID to vote in Ohio. You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when you are voting in person.

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Yes, a suspended driver’s license is accepted as voter ID in Ohio. Your license must still be unexpired.

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No, student ID is not accepted for voting in Ohio. Check this list to learn what photo IDs you can use.

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VoteRiders is here to help! 
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Address  

Your ID is not required to show your current address in Ohio.

If you are registered at your current address, it is okay to use an accepted form of photo ID with an old address. You should be allowed to cast regular ballot.

Name 

Your ID must show a name that matches (“substantially conforms”) your name on the list of registered voters.

You need to update your Ohio voter registration when you change your name. You can do that online or using this form.

If your name changes after the voter registration deadline, you can still cast a regular ballot.

You need to: 

• Complete and sign a Form 10-L 
• Provide legal proof of your name change
• Show an accepted form of ID (can show previous name)

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You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Ohio.

REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards. 

Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity. 

Visit the Ohio BMV website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card. (called a Compliant DL-ID in Ohio)

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VoteRiders is here to help! 
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You are allowed to “cure” (fix) your absentee ballot within 4 days of the election.  

You can track your mail ballot on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Election officials will send you a notice (Form 11-S) to let you know if there is a problem with your ballot. This includes missing or inconsistent proof of ID, signature, or printed name. 

You need to complete the Form 11-S and return it to your county board of elections. You can do this by going to their office or sending it by mail.

If you do not complete and return the Form 11-S, your ballot will not count.