American Democracy Minute | Radio Short & Podcast on Democracy Issues

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 18, 2023

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Spectrum News – New Ohio voter ID law raises discrimination concerns
Ohio Capital Journal – New voter ID requirements put out-of-state college students “between a rock and a hard place”
Dayton Daily News – With Ohio’s new voter ID law, here’s what you need to know in order to vote in May election
State of Ohio SOS – Voter ID Requirements
WFYI Indianapolis – Bill adding new voter ID requirements to mail-in ballot applications poised to become law
Indiana General Assembly – HB 1334 Language
Nebraska Public Media – Next steps for voter ID in Nebraska: No notary required, narrower focus on verification
Nebraska Legislature – LB535 – Require valid photographic identification and change provisions relating to voting under the Election Act and certain identification documents

Groups Taking Action:

Civic Nebraska, League of Women Voters Nebraska, Ohio Voting Rights Coalition, Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates, ACLU Indiana, Common Cause Indiana

Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We have three voter ID law updates for you today. If you live in Indiana, Ohio, or Nebraska, pay attention: New restrictions may make it more complicated for you to vote.

First to Ohio, where a narrowing of what qualifies as identification to vote took effect April 7th. No longer can utility bills or non-picture ID be used. Instead, only an Ohio driver’s license, state-issued non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or military ID are acceptable. Out-of-state student college IDs no longer count, and to get an Ohio ID card, they must also surrender their home state’s driver’s license.

Indiana has new ID hoops for voting by absentee. WFYI reports that the voter must enclose a photocopy of a state-issued ID with the return envelope, or include an Indiana driver’s license or non-driver ID number in, or the voter’s last four social security digits.

Nebraska legislators dialed back their proposed absentee voter ID legislation which required a notary’s stamp. Another provision would have limited who could apply to vote by mail. The Nebraska Examiner’s reporting showed that notaries are often not available in rural areas. Both proposals were scrapped, but legislators say they WILL implement some type of mail-in voter ID requirement before passage.

We have links to more information about all three laws at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.

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