Ohioans can now add a copy of their Ohio-issued driver’s license or ID card to their Apple Wallet.
But don’t expect to use it as your ID when you go to your local polling place on Election Day. it won’t be accepted.
The Mobile ID is meant to be a “companion” to a physical ID rather than a full replacement, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
What forms of ID are accepted at polling locations?
Ohio requires voters to provide proof of identification when voting. IDs must not be expired, must show your name in a way that “substantially conforms” to the way it appears in the voter registration list, and must have a photo of the voter.
They do not need to include your current address as it is printed in the list of registered voters, but you will be asked to cast a provisional ballot if the address does not match.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Ohio driver’s license or State ID card
- A U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
Mobile IDs will not be accepted at polling locations. Additionally, voters are no longer allowed to substitute utility bills, bank statements, paychecks or other documents for a valid photo ID.
Ohioans who are 17 years and older can receive a state ID card at no cost from the BMV. Here’s more information about how to get one.
The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7. You can check your registration and make a voting plan on the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 site.
How do I complete a provisional ballot?
If you forget your ID or do not have an acceptable form of identification – maybe you forgot to update your address – you can cast a provisional ballot and verify your identity after election day.
You must return to the Summit County Board of Elections, located at 470 Grant St. in Akron, within four days of Election Day and provide a qualifying form of identification.
How to get the Mobile ID on your phone
For now, the Mobile ID feature is only available for Apple product users who have an iPhone 8 or later model or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
Here’s how to add the Mobile ID to your device:
- Open the “Apple Wallet” app
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner
- Select “Driver’s License or State ID” and choose Ohio
- Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the verification process
The Ohio BMV has a more detailed video tutorial on how to set up the Mobile ID.
Saving time through technology
This feature is the latest collaboration between InnovateOhio and the BMV. One of the goals of InnovateOhio is to find opportunities for growth using technology. Ohio is one of five states – the others are Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Maryland – where residents can present a digital version of their ID at businesses with a mobile ID reader.
“Since 2019, these modernizations and added conveniences have saved Ohioans over 7 million trips to BMV locations and more than 641,000 hours of standing in line,” said Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman in a press release.
Where can I use the Mobile ID?
The Mobile IDs can only be presented at businesses that have a mobile ID reader – potentially locations such as concert venues or liquor stores, where a patron’s age needs to be verified.
Businesses can opt to download the “Ohio Mobile ID Check” app on a compatible iPhone to verify IDs. The app is free and does not require any additional technology.
At select TSA airport security checkpoints, Mobile ID users can tap their iPhone or Apple Watch at an identity reader instead of pulling their physical ID out of their wallet. The John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport are among the wave of airports using this updated technology.
But don’t expect to be able to use your Mobile ID if you get pulled over for a traffic stop. Local law enforcement officers are not equipped with ID readers.
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