The Ohio Legislature approved a bill Wednesday that would do away with the parts of a new law that allow Ohioans to register to vote and update their addresses online. The provisions were included in an election overhaul law signed by Gov. John Kasich almost two weeks ago.
Under the sweeping new law, voters must give their full Social Security number when casting a provisional ballot, which they’re given if there are about questions about their identification, voting eligibility or voting precinct. The ballots are later counted if the voters’ information checks out.
The law also requires voters to provide their full nine-digit number when registering to vote, if they choose to use their Social Security number as a way to identify themselves.
The bill that cleared the Legislature on Wednesday would repeal the online provisions and the full Social Security number requirements — which had been advocated by the state’s top elections chief, Secretary of State Jon Husted.
Beyond the repeal language, the bill would allow members of the military and Ohioans overseas to receive absentee ballots by email or online. The legislation would also require voters to print their names on the envelope of their absentee ballots to have their vote counted.
The measure won swift, bipartisan approval Wednesday. It cleared a Senate committee and passed the full Senate on a 29-0 vote. The House then voted 91-0 to agree to the changes.
Full Article: Ohio lawmakers axe online voter registration plan – Westport News.