Rep. Cockley Celebrates Governor's Veto of Substitute House Bill 472

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) today announced the Governor’s veto of Sub-Bill 472. The Substitute Bill was first introduced in the Senate General Government Committee without Rep. Cockley or her joint sponsor’s, Rep. Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), knowledge and consent. The bill then passed through the legislature just 48 hours after its introduction leaving Ohioans no time to read, understand, or offer their testimony on the new unvetted language.

The original bill, as passed by the House, sought to create fee waivers for unhoused individuals seeking to obtain identity documents. The Sub-Bill took this strong bipartisan legislation and instead created confusing and strict requirements for IDs for mail-in ballots.

“If Republicans want to pass voter ID laws, it should be done in its own bill where public comment is welcome and should be done to help voters get more access to voting, not less,” said Rep Cockley. “I want to thank the activists and community leaders who helped push for a veto and advocate against this terrible legislation, Sub-Bill 472. I look forward to resubmitting legislation to help those experiencing homelessness obtain their identity documents.”

The fee waivers introduced in the original legislation would have been a small, yet meaningful step toward helping unhoused individuals rebuild their lives, reintegrate with dignity, and support their long-term success by reducing cycles of poverty.