Ohio & Mahoning Valley - Ahead of early voting starting April 4 for the May primary, there are new rules going into effect in Ohio that may affect people with certain I-Ds. 21 News spoke with both sides of the aisle on differing opinions on the purpose of the bill and who will be impacted by the change. 

The recently passed House Bill 458 requires voters to provide a photo ID when voting in person. A driver's license, passport or state ID card will work just fine but if you show a utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck as your proof of residence, you won't be able to cast your ballot.

"It's really a catchword for voter suppression," explained Jan Douglass, Chair of the Columbiana County Democratic Women's Caucus.

Democrats including Douglass believe this bill aimed at preventing voter fraud could restrict certain groups from voting. The groups include anyone who can't obtain a photo ID, like low-income, college students, or elderly population. 

"Transportation is an issue for those who no longer drive which would be seniors, people who choose not to drive and people who are unable to drive," Douglass added. Douglass said counties like Columbiana have sparse BMVs around the area, making it more challenging to find a way to obtain a photo ID.

"It affects the economically challenged and those with housing insecurities," she said. While it costs money to get a driver's license, the state-issued IDs accepted at polling locations are free of charge starting April 7. "It may not be if you need to get ahold of the necessary documents to register," she added. 

Ohio recently withdrew from 'ERIC,' a system that identifies inaccurate voter registration records, deceased voters, unregistered voters, and illegal voting.

"There was some inherent problems with ERIC and how it was being used for political purposes nationwide," said Tom McCabe, Deputy Director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections and Chair of the Mahoning County GOP. 

"Every single person in Ohio eligible to vote should have the right to vote and it should not be made more difficult," Douglass said. "I have no idea why the State would withdraw, but to me, the stricter voting laws are all about voter suppression."

"While this doesn't affect most voters, I will stand up for the 2% or 161,477 people that this law potentially affects," Douglass said. "We're throwing obstacles in front of them to make it harder for them to vote. They're going to continue to try and do so." 

McCabe told 21 News said about 99% of voters already have a photo ID and he doesn't see this being an issue. "This bill clarifies what can be brought including a government-issued driver's license, military ID, passport, or a state-issued ID. Our records show over the past 4 years, 99% of voters have used one of those four," McCabe said.

"We keep track of what type of ID has been sued at polling locations, but it's still that absentee option too," McCabe explained. If voters do not have a photo ID, they still have the option to vote absentee. 

McCabe said this shouldn't be a partisan issue. The message needs to be relayed to the group of voters that do not have that photo ID, so they know their options.

"Anytime you can strengthen the security of elections but still make it easy to vote, I think that's a good thing," McCabe said. "There's no reason not the get a photo ID. It could be used or banking or other aspects of their life."

The law also adds a new requirement that driver's licenses and state ID cards indicate an individual's citizenship status.

Douglass said this requirement is an example of profiling non-citizens. "It could also put you in potential danger. The League of Women's Voters, the NAACP of Ohio, and the ACLU have all come out against House Bill 458," Douglass said.  

State-issued photo IDs will be available free of charge under the new law, beginning this Friday.

House Bill 458 removes the Monday before Election Day from the early voting calendar so boards may better prepare for Election Day.

This also permits one secure ballot drop box per county.