Delaware County Review

State Senators Andrew Brenner and Theresa Gavarone have introduced Senate Bill 153 in Ohio, aimed at requiring proof of citizenship for voting. This legislative move is intended to enhance the integrity of elections within the state.

Senator Brenner emphasized the importance of ensuring that only legal voters participate in elections. "Having only legal voters cast a ballot each election should be common sense," he stated. He believes this bill will contribute to fair and reliable elections where every vote is secure.

Senator Gavarone also expressed her support for the bill, highlighting Ohio's reputation for running effective elections. “Ohio is the gold standard when it comes to running elections," she said. She explained that Senate Bill 153 aims to improve election laws by adding a layer of protection to enforce citizenship requirements, thereby strengthening trust in electoral institutions.

The proposed legislation mandates verification of citizenship during voter registration or updates and requires regular reviews of voter rolls by the Secretary of State to identify non-citizens. Additionally, it prohibits the use of drop boxes.

Following the introduction of this bill, former President Trump issued an Executive Order with similarities to SB 153. Senator Gavarone noted her excitement about this alignment, stating, “I was very excited to see President Trump’s Executive Order closely aligns with the work we have done in Ohio and the work we will continue with Senate Bill 153.”

The bill has been sent to the Senate General Government Committee for further evaluation.