Katherine T. Bennett Testimony in Ohio: Valid Voter Identification

ALEC Process and Procedures Task Force Director Katherine T. Bennett testified before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee on SJR 10.

Madam Chairman, Members of the Committee,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Katherine Bennett and I am the Director of the Process and Procedures Task Force at The American Legislative Exchange Council. As a 501c3, nonpartisan organization, ALEC is dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.

Based on nonpartisan research and analysis, photo identification requirements are a widely popular way to secure elections without suppressing voter turnout. Photo ID laws directly protect against several forms of election fraud, including voter impersonation, voting by non-citizens, and individuals casting ballots in multiple jurisdictions. We know fraud happens, and even isolated instances undermine public confidence. It is our duty as leaders in a democratic nation to eliminate as many avenues for fraud as possible. Requiring photo ID to vote is a simple security measure already required to buy alcohol, cigarettes, or even a ticket to certain blockbuster movies. It is not an undue burden to go through the same identification process to vote that one goes through to buy a beer at a ballgame.

These photo ID laws do not suppress voter turnout. Instead, they strengthen a system that hinges on trust. In 2025, researchers found that only 45% of the electorate was confident in our election system. This is an inditement of one of our most sacred democratic tools. Without trusted elections, no democracy can stand. Twenty-five states already require photo ID to vote, including Rhode Island. These states know that a secure election is a trusted election. 87% of Americans agree and support such laws.

States that have adopted photo ID requirements also demonstrate that these policies can be implemented fairly and responsibly. Many jurisdictions’ pair ID requirements with free state-issued identification cards, extended office hours, and provisional ballot options to ensure that every eligible voter can participate. These measures show that election security and voter access are not competing goals; they are complementary pillars of a healthy democracy.

ALEC’s model Valid Voter Identification Act outlines our recognized best practices for requiring voter photo ID. Photo ID requirements are not a barrier—they are a safeguard. They protect the legitimacy of every lawful vote, reinforce public trust, and align with the expectations of an overwhelming majority of Americans. If we want elections that citizens believe in, we must adopt policies that strengthen—not weaken—their confidence. A secure democracy depends on secure elections, and photo ID is a reasonable, responsible step toward that goal.