Reports show that a federal court has upheld Ohio’s 2023 election integrity legislation, which mandates that voters show identification while casting their votes.
Judge Donald Nugent, an appointee of Clinton’s who wrote for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, found that organizations supported by Democrats failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their assertions that HB 458 imposes an excessive burden on the voting rights of Ohioans.
Nugent wrote that the complainants, a conglomeration of left-leaning organizations, claimed that the rule would disproportionately affect blacks, young, old, military, and foreign-based Ohioans, making it almost impossible for them to cast ballots in upcoming elections. A Democrat lawfare firm established by Marc Elias—a Democrat operative who helped launch the discredited Trump-Russia connection hoax—filed the action on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Last year, Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 458 into law. It states that in order to vote, Ohioans must present one of the following: A valid Ohio driver’s license, state identification card, a U.S. military ID card, a U.S. passport, or an interim identification form obtained from a deputy registrar or the registrar of motor vehicles. The law also restricted the number of ballot drop boxes to one per county, shortened the time after Election Day when a voter could cure their ballot, eliminated the ability to vote in person the Monday before Election Day, and made the deadlines for requesting and returning absentee ballots earlier.
Reports show Nugent pointed out in his ruling that the Elias Law Group failed to present any evidence that the mentioned provisions would make it harder for Ohioans to vote in person or by mail. He explained that the changes made by HB 458 are relatively minor adjustments to Ohio’s voting laws and that none significantly affect anyone’s ability to vote under Ohio’s generous voting laws.
It is not known if the Elias Group will appeal the ruling.
