HOW FAKE ID’s CAN UNDERMINE ELECTIONS IN OHIO

This week, the FBI turned over recently declassified documents alleging China tried to interfere in the 2020 election by sending mass produced fake drivers licenses to the US.

Could China have infiltrated Ohio's elections with fake IDs in 2020?

Since Ohio does not verify identification before voter registration, illegal fake ID voters can be added to the voter rolls. A BMV mismatch program should flag these voter records as unverified, triggering the mailing of Confirmation Notices. However, if recipients do not respond, there is nothing that stops them from voting mail-in or in-person with the same fake ID – despite provisions in the Ohio Constitution indicating they should not be permitted to vote. Once they vote, the BMV mismatch flag is removed, even though their identity was never verified against any state or federal database.

Could these same fake ID voters be permitted to vote if elections were held today?  

Yes, it is possible for voters added to Ohio voter rolls using fake IDs to vote in elections held today. While a state photo-id law was implemented in 2023 requiring a photo-id to vote in person, someone in possession of a physical fake ID could still present it at the polls. Additionally, mail-in ballots are counted using the same ID number provided at registration – meaning a fake ID number could be used to vote without further verification.

If passed, would Senate Bill 153/House Bill 233 resolve the current shortfalls in Ohio law regarding fake IDs?  

As introduced, these bills would not fully address the gaps that currently permit ineligible individuals to vote - contrary to Ohio’s Constitution.

• Existing fake ID voters: Those who previously registered using fake IDs can still vote in person or by mail. Because they were identified in a prior report, they are excluded from future BMV mismatch reporting and remain on the voter rolls, capable of voting a regular ballot without restriction.  

• New fake ID registrations: New registrations using fake IDs can still be added to Ohio voter rolls in large numbers without any verification that they exist or are eligible to vote in Ohio. Instead of verifying the ID exists on BMV records before they are added to the voter rolls, the following complex and error-prone minimum process must occur perfectly to prevent a fake ID vote from counting:   

1.  The Secretary of State must conduct the BMV mismatch program;

2.  The Secretary of State must send a report to the Board of Elections;

3.  The Board of Elections must flag the fake ID voter record for ID mismatch;

4.  The Board of Elections must mail a Confirmation Notice to the fake ID voter;  

a.  If the fake ID voter responds by submitting a copy of the same fake ID, the process must repeat;

5.  The fake ID voter record must then be updated to vote provisionally;

6.  The fake ID voter must not be permitted to receive a mail-in ballot;

7.  If the fake ID voter casts a provisional ballot;  

a.  The fake ID information must be uploaded to the Secretary of State’s office;  

b.  The Secretary of State must attempt to verify it against BMV records;  

c.   The Secretary must notify the Board of Elections that the ID does not exist on BMV records;  

d.  The Board must ensure the provisional ballot is not counted;

e.  The Board must cancel the voter registration that should never have been added in the first place.    

The entire chain of events is vulnerable to error at multiple stages. These risks – and the administrative burden could be avoided entirely if fake ID registration are not accepted onto the voter rolls,  consistent with Executive Order 14248, issued by President Trump.