Key Takeaways
• Ohio Senate Bill 153 requires proof of citizenship to register, risking disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands.
• Nearly 900,000 Ohioans may lack easy access to citizenship documents under SB 153’s rules.
• Recent Ohio laws led to over 34,000 rejected provisional ballots, worsening voter participation challenges.
Ohio’s Senate Bill 153: Proof of Citizenship Requirement Raises Fears of Voter Disenfranchisement
Ohio Senate Bill 153, a proposal that would require all voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, is moving through the Ohio Senate. The bill, sponsored by Republican State Senators Theresa Gavarone and Andrew Brenner, has sparked heated debate across the state. Supporters say it will protect the election system from fraud, but voting rights advocates warn it could block hundreds of thousands of eligible Ohioans from voting. The bill’s progress and the controversy surrounding it come at a time when Ohio’s voting laws have already become stricter, and many worry about the impact on democracy in the state.
What Is Ohio Senate Bill 153 and Why Is It Controversial?
Ohio Senate Bill 153 (SB 153) would require every person registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship. This means showing documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers. The bill would also eliminate ballot drop boxes and add new rules for people collecting petition signatures, such as requiring paid canvassers to wear badges that identify them.
The bill is currently being considered by the Ohio Senate, with a committee hearing held in early May 2025. Lawmakers are debating whether these changes are needed and what effects they might have on Ohio’s elections.
Supporters of SB 153 argue that the bill will close loopholes and make Ohio’s elections more secure. They say requiring proof of citizenship will help prevent noncitizens from registering and voting, even though there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem.
Opponents of SB 153 warn that the bill could disenfranchise, or take away the voting rights of, hundreds of thousands of eligible Ohioans. They point out that many citizens do not have easy access to the documents required to prove citizenship, and getting them can be expensive and time-consuming. Critics also say that eliminating ballot drop boxes and adding new petition rules will make it harder for people to participate in democracy.
How Would Proof of Citizenship Affect Ohio Voters?
Research shows that requiring proof of citizenship could have a big impact on who can vote in Ohio. According to the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, more than 9% of voting-age citizens nationwide—about 21.3 million people—do not have easy access to documents that prove their citizenship. Nearly 2% (2.8 million people) have no such documents at all.
If these national numbers apply to Ohio, the effects could be huge:
- Ohio has about 9.8 million people of voting age, with 8.2 million registered voters.
- Nearly 900,000 voting-age Ohioans may not have easy access to citizenship documents.
- Almost 200,000 Ohioans may not have any citizenship documents at all.
These numbers suggest that Ohio Senate Bill 153 could prevent hundreds of thousands of eligible citizens from registering to vote or casting a ballot, simply because they cannot show the right paperwork.
The Impact of Recent Voter ID Laws in Ohio
SB 153 is not the first time Ohio has made it harder to vote. In 2023, the state passed House Bill 458 (HB 458), which created stricter voter ID rules. Under this law, voters must show one of only four types of government-issued photo ID, and the ID must be unexpired. Acceptable IDs include an Ohio driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID.
The effects of HB 458 have already been felt:
- In the 2024 election, 34,364 provisional ballots were not counted—10,000 more than in the 2020 election, according to a report by All Voting is Local Ohio.
- More than 8,000 people had their ballots rejected because they did not present an acceptable ID, based on data from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
- In some counties, election results were decided by just one or two votes. For example, races in Marion and Jefferson counties were decided by a single vote, making every ballot important.
These numbers show that even small changes to voting rules can have a big impact, especially in close elections. Adding a proof of citizenship requirement could make things even harder for many Ohioans.
Who Would Be Most Affected by SB 153?
The people most likely to be affected by Ohio Senate Bill 153 are those who do not have easy access to citizenship documents. This includes:
- Elderly voters who may have lost or never had a birth certificate or passport
- Low-income citizens who cannot afford to pay for replacement documents
- People born outside hospitals or in rural areas where records may not exist
- Naturalized citizens who may have lost their naturalization papers
- Students and young adults who may not have needed these documents before
For these groups, getting the right paperwork can be difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. Some may have to pay for new documents, travel to government offices, or wait weeks for paperwork to arrive. For many, these barriers could mean losing their right to vote.
Arguments For and Against Proof of Citizenship
Supporters’ Arguments
Backers of SB 153, including groups like the Foundation for Government Accountability Action, say the bill is needed to protect Ohio’s elections. They argue that:
- The bill closes a loophole that could allow noncitizens to register and vote.
- It adds practical safeguards to make sure only eligible citizens vote.
- Monthly audits of voter rolls will help keep the system clean.
Supporters believe these steps are necessary to prevent fraud and build trust in the election system.
Critics’ Arguments
Opponents, including voting rights groups and legal experts, say the bill is a solution in search of a problem. Their main points include:
- Noncitizen voting is extremely rare. A Brennan Center for Justice study found that noncitizen voting happened at a rate of just 0.0001% in the 2016 election.
- Ohio’s own Attorney General found only six cases of illegal voting out of 8.1 million voters—a rate of less than one ten-thousandth of 1%.
- Millions of Americans lack the required documents. University of Maryland researchers found that more than 21.3 million Americans do not have easy access to proof of citizenship.
- Eliminating ballot drop boxes will make it harder for people to vote, especially those who cannot easily get to polling places or post offices.
Critics say the bill will do much more harm than good, by blocking eligible voters while doing little to stop fraud.
Voter List Maintenance and Purges
At the same time that lawmakers are debating SB 153, there are concerns about how Ohio maintains its voter rolls. Secretary of State Frank LaRose has led efforts to remove “inactive” voters from the rolls, but some say these purges may break federal law.
- In October 2024, groups like the ACLU, Brennan Center for Justice, League of Women Voters of Ohio, and Common Cause Ohio warned that LaRose’s mass removal of voters could violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). This law says states cannot remove voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election.
- A study found that 109,117 voter registrations were removed within 90 days of the 2024 election.
- In total, 154,995 voters were purged from the rolls before the 2024 election.
These actions raise fears that eligible voters are being wrongly removed, adding to worries about voter disenfranchisement.
Historical Context: Voting Restrictions in Ohio
Ohio has a history of making it harder to vote, especially for certain groups. Before HB 458, Ohio allowed voters without photo ID to use a utility bill or other official mail to prove their identity. This made it easier for people without driver’s licenses or passports to vote.
Research by Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates found that vote-by-mail increases turnout among low-income voters by about 25%. But new laws have made it harder to vote by mail or use drop boxes.
A 2011 study showed that about 940,000 adult Ohioans did not have a driver’s license, much higher than the 170,000 claimed by supporters of strict ID laws. This means that many more people could be affected by new requirements than lawmakers admit.
Expert Perspectives on Voter Disenfranchisement
Voting rights experts are sounding the alarm about the direction Ohio is heading. Kayla Griffin, Ohio State Director for All Voting is Local, said, “There has been a significant increase in the number of rejected provisional ballots over the last four years, a troubling pattern for Ohioans who cast their votes to have their voice heard in our elections.”
Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio, emphasized that Secretary LaRose must follow federal law: “As Ohio’s chief election officer, Secretary LaRose must ensure compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. It is his duty and responsibility to be fully acquainted with federal election law.”
Sarah Brannon, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, added, “Secretary LaRose has a duty and an obligation to protect eligible Ohio voters on the rolls by following federal law.”
These experts agree that new voting restrictions, combined with aggressive voter purges, could lead to widespread voter disenfranchisement.
What Could Happen Next?
As Ohio Senate Bill 153 moves forward, voting rights groups are likely to increase their efforts to stop it. They argue that the bill’s proof of citizenship requirement, combined with other recent changes, could lead to even more eligible voters being blocked from the polls.
If the bill passes, Ohio could see a sharp drop in the number of registered voters. Many people may not be able to get the documents they need in time for the next election. This could affect the outcome of close races and weaken trust in the election system.
All Voting is Local warns that “we will continue to see more people disenfranchised each election cycle” if these trends continue. The stakes are high, and the debate over SB 153 is likely to shape Ohio’s elections for years to come.
What Should Ohio Voters Do?
If you are an Ohio voter, it is important to:
- Check your voter registration status regularly. You can do this on the official Ohio Secretary of State website.
- Make sure you have the required ID to vote under current law. If SB 153 passes, you may also need to get proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport.
- Contact your state lawmakers to share your views on SB 153 and other voting laws.
- Help friends and family understand the new rules and get the documents they need.
Staying informed and prepared is the best way to protect your right to vote.
Conclusion: The Future of Voting Rights in Ohio
Ohio Senate Bill 153 has brought the issue of proof of citizenship and voter disenfranchisement to the forefront of state politics. The bill’s supporters say it will make elections safer, but critics warn it could block hundreds of thousands of eligible Ohioans from voting. The experience with recent voter ID laws shows that even small changes can have big effects, especially for people who already face barriers to voting.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over SB 153 is part of a larger national conversation about voting rights, citizenship, and democracy. The outcome in Ohio could set an example for other states, making it even more important for voters, lawmakers, and advocates to pay close attention.
For more information on voting requirements and how to get the documents you need, visit the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s official page on voter registration.
By staying informed and involved, Ohioans can help ensure that every eligible citizen has the chance to vote—and that the state’s democracy remains strong for generations to come.
Learn Today
Ohio Senate Bill 153 → A proposed Ohio law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and restricting ballot drop boxes.
Proof of Citizenship → Official documents like passports or birth certificates verifying a person’s U.S. citizenship for voting eligibility.
Ballot Drop Boxes → Secure public boxes where voters drop completed ballots as an alternative to mail or in-person voting.
Voter Disenfranchisement → The process of denying eligible citizens their right to vote through legal or practical barriers.
Provisional Ballots → Temporary ballots used when eligibility is in question, counted only after verification of voter qualifications.
This Article in a Nutshell
Ohio’s Senate Bill 153 demands proof of citizenship to vote, triggering fears of mass voter disenfranchisement. Critics highlight barriers to documents and the law’s impact on democracy, while supporters claim it ensures election security amid rising ballot rejections and tighter voter ID regulations in Ohio’s evolving legal landscape.
— By VisaVerge.com
