1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to demand the immediate repeal of the ID verification law(s) recently enacted in our state. These laws create dangerous precedents that undermine the principles of free speech and expression, threaten personal privacy, and risk chilling participation in public discourse. Forcing individuals to provide government-issued identification to access lawful online content effectively turns free expression into a monitored and permission-based activity. It discourages participation from people who value their privacy, fear retaliation, or simply wish to engage anonymously, a right that has long been protected in our nation’s history, from the Federalist Papers to modern digital speech. These laws also disproportionately harm marginalized communities, whistleblowers, journalists, and anyone whose safety depends on anonymity. Instead of targeting actual harmful activity, they impose blanket restrictions that burden law-abiding citizens and risk stifling open debate and cultural exchange. I call on you to take immediate action to repeal these measures and to publicly commit to defending the constitutional rights of all residents. The state should prioritize policies that protect both safety and freedom, rather than sacrificing one for the illusion of the other. Freedom of speech and expression cannot survive in an environment where the government demands to know who is speaking before they speak. I urge you to act now to restore these essential freedoms.