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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--The Ohio Senate has approved changes to the state's election laws, as the legislative end-of-the-year lame-duck session continues.
The proposal now goes to the Ohio House. It would require all voters to present a state-issued voter ID when casting a ballot in person. It also eliminates in-person early voting the day before Election Day. Utility bills or other forms of ID without a photo would no longer be accepted.
The changes also call for shortening the window to accept absentee ballots being mailed in, after Election Day. Now, absentee ballots can be counted up to 10 days after Election Day, if they were postmarked by Election Day.
Under the proposed changes, absentee ballots that arrive after Election Day would not be counted.
Critics say the rules would disenfranchise the poor, and members of the military deployed overseas, who typically vote absentee through the mail.
State Representative Bill Seitz says those without a driver's license or photo ID will be able to get one, for free.