State Rep. Ferguson Provides Sponsor Testimony for House Bill 577

State Representative Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) provided sponsor testimony this week in the House General Government Committee for House Bill 577 – the Secure the Vote Act – legislation to require a photo ID for absentee voting in Ohio.

“Elections are the foundation of our republic, and it is important that every vote is legally cast and accurately counted,” said Ferguson. “The best way to ensure the integrity of our elections is to require a photo ID to vote.”

If enacted, House Bill 577 would do the following:

• Require a person who votes by mail to include a copy of the voter’s photo ID with the voted ballot when returning it to the board of elections
• Require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to operate a homebound identification program to provide state ID cards to individuals who are unable to travel to a deputy registrar office because of confinement, a medical condition, or disability
• Require the Secretary of State to distribute information about voter ID to new registrants

The bill also includes provisions that further protect Ohio voters by prohibiting the Secretary of State or a board of elections from disclosing a copy of a voter’s photo ID as a public record.

This bill awaits further consideration in the House General Government Committee.