Election alert: Ohio's new mobile driver's license, ID feature, not accepted for voting

In many instances, Ohio's new mobile driver's license or state ID can be used to order a margarita or get you through airport security — but it won't work when it's time to vote.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced the digital ID program a month ago.

It allows holders to add their license or ID to an iPhone or Apple Watch Wallet application, sort of like a tap and pay feature for identification.

It's already being accepted at Transportation Security Administration, including at the John Glenn Columbus International and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International airports, for example.

Along with it, Ohio launched a free age verification app for businesses, so they can accept digital IDs, if they want to offer that feature.

“Ohio has always been a leader in innovation, and now we are the fifth state in the country that gives residents the option to securely add their driver’s license to Apple Wallet,” DeWine said in a press release.

In the weeks since, though, several boards of elections in the state have been asked to clarify if a digital ID can be used as proof of identification in the Nov. 5 general election.

The short answer: No.

Dan Lusheck, a spokesman for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, confirmed for this story that mobile IDs are not acceptable for voting.

State law defines photo identifcation as:

• An Ohio driver’s license, state identification card, or interim identification form issued by the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar.
• A U.S passport or passport card.
• U.S. military, Ohio National Guard or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.

The Veterans Affairs ID, which is offered in digital format, is acceptable for voting because it was already recognized in Ohio Law. The state's mobile ID, though, is not mentioned, at least not yet.

InnovateOhio and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) had collaborated with Apple to create the digital ID feature .

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Election alert: Ohio's new mobile driver's license, ID feature, not accepted for voting