MIDDLEFIELD -- A proposed law that would require Ohio voters to show some sort of government-issued photo ID could keep many Amish from voting.
The Amish shun pictures and videos of themselves for religious reasons. They believe they are an inappropriate form of vanity.
The law would require voters to show one of the following -- driver's license, state photo ID, military ID or passport.
The Amish have none of those.
Amish Voter Freeman Miller believes if the law is not changed, it would preclude many Amish from voting. Amish prefer voting in person.
This would be an issue in by-mail voting or casting a provisional ballot.
State Senator Tim Grendell has met with Amish leaders, trying to find a compromise solution.
He claims the bill's sponsor, Senator Robert Mecklenborg, has agreed to incorporate what Grendell and Amish leaders agree on as a compromise.
Grendell is hopeful of getting a waiver to allow Amish to allow non-photo state ID cards that many of them have to get hunting licenses.
He also thinks having a new county-issued special Amish voting ID would work.
Miller says Amish relish being involved in their communities and hope for a compromise.
Those opposing the bill claim that voter fraud at the polls is not an issue and that the bill is a Republican tactic to eliminate many poor, senior and younger voters more likely to vote Democratic.
Republicans say it's a common-sense precaution to secure the integrity of votes.
WKYC-TV