Identification Requirements to Vote

Identification is necessary to vote in any election, according to the Summit County Board of Elections.

Valid and acceptable forms of identification are:

• A current and valid photo identification (such as Ohio driver license card, state ID card, government ID). Photo identification must show name and current address (except that Ohio driver license or State ID card does not need to show current address if the address in the poll book is current); or
• A military identification that shows the voter’s name (does not need to show address); or
• A copy of a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill (including cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document (including from a public college or university) that shows the voter’s name and current address.

A notice that the board of elections mailed you cannot be used as proof of identification. 

Can't provide any of the above identification, the board of elections said providing the last four digits of the voter's social security number can be used to cast a provisional ballot.

Those who do not give identification or the last four numbers of their social security number can vote by signing an affirmation swearing to the voter's identity under penalty of election falsification and casting a provisional ballot, according to the board of elections.

However, the board of election said if identification is not provided when filing a provisional ballot, the voter has the opportunity to provide a valid form of identification in person at the board of election, at 470 Grant St., Akron, within 10 days of election day.