1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

​I am writing to you as a concerned Ohio resident to respectfully urge you to exercise your veto power on House Bill 472. While the legislation began as a highly bipartisan effort to assist unhoused Ohioans by waiving fees for birth certificates, the last-minute amendments added by the Senate completely alter the bill's intent and will place an undue burden on Ohio’s voters—particularly our seniors, military members, and rural residents. ​The provision requiring absentee voters to provide a physical copy of their driver’s license or state ID creates an unnecessary obstacle to a mail-in voting system that has operated securely and reliably in Ohio for decades. Many seniors and individuals with mobility issues rely heavily on absentee voting because they cannot easily travel. Forcing them to find a way to make, print, and mail physical photocopies of their identification introduces steep technological and physical barriers to exercising their constitutional right to vote. ​Furthermore, requiring citizens to mail physical copies of their government-issued photo IDs opens up significant risks regarding identity theft and data privacy. Forcing voters to send sensitive, personal documentation through the mail system leaves them vulnerable to bad actors, a risk that heavily outweighs any perceived benefits of this policy. ​Ohio already has robust, secure verification protocols for absentee voting, and our local boards of elections perform incredible work keeping our systems fair and efficient. This new mandate adds logistical friction for both voters and election workers alike, without a proven necessity. ​Governor DeWine, you have long stood for practical, fair governance that protects all Ohioans. I ask that you reject the partisan shifting of HB 472, stand up for our seniors and vulnerable communities, and veto this bill. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued dedication to our state.