Rep. Cockley Condemns Committee Passage of Sub Bill 472

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) today condemns the passage of the last-minute Substitute House Bill 472, which takes a strong bipartisan bill to waive fees on state-issued identity documents for the unhoused and makes it much harder to vote by mail for everyone.

The original bill, as passed by the House, sought to remove the unnecessary barriers that make day-to-day living difficult. Waiving these fees would be a small but impactful way to support long-term success, reduce cycles of poverty, and help individuals reintegrate into their communities with dignity.

“The original HB 472 was a commonsense policy which recognized that IDs and birth certificates are critical for Ohioans to participate in the workforce, secure stable housing, and access medical care,” said Rep Cockley. “The change was made without the knowledge or consent of myself or the bill’s joint sponsor Rep. Jodi Salvo. It is a clear response to the political heat the majority received from anti-voter advocates in response to the equally rushed proposed constitutional amendments.”

No bill proposing a requirement for photo ID by mail has received a committee vote this General Assembly before the hasty action on HB 472.