NAWBO Columbus and NAWBO Northeast Ohio Urge Awareness of New Voter Registration Requirements

COLUMBUS and CLEVELAND, Ohio – September 28, 2026 – Columbus and Northeast Ohio (NEO) chapters of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) are expressing concerns about a new proof-of-citizenship requirement for Ohioans registering to vote or updating their registration at Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offices.

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit lifted a lower court order that had blocked the requirement, allowing provisions of Ohio House Bill 54 to take effect while litigation continues.

Ohioans registering to vote at BMV offices may need to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This requirement does not apply to all registration methods. Voters can still register online or through their county board of elections without providing citizenship documents.

The change comes just days before Ohio's October 5 voter registration deadline for the November 3 general election.

“Changes to voter registration requirements this close to the deadline can create confusion,” said Tiffany Meyer, Vice President of Public Policy for NAWBO Columbus. “Our immediate priority is to make sure our members and other women have accurate information about how they can participate in the upcoming election.”

Concerns About Ohio House Bill 54

The proof-of-citizenship provision faced opposition during consideration of House Bill 54. The ACLU of Ohio, Common Cause Ohio, and OPAWL– Building AAPI Feminist Leadership testified before the Ohio House Finance Committee, citing concerns about barriers for eligible voters who lack citizenship documents or whose current names differ from those documents.

Those concerns are particularly relevant to women.

“For many women, a name change after marriage or divorce can create a mismatch between citizenship documents and current identification. That should never become another obstacle to exercising the right to vote,” said Liz Radivoyevitch, Director of Advocacy for NAWBO NEO.

Red Wine & Blue and the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans challenged the law in federal court. The lawsuit involved two Ohio women who faced difficulties registering to vote at BMV offices due to documentation issues related to name changes after marriage.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the provisions in early September. On September 23, the Sixth Circuit lifted the injunction, allowing the BMV requirement to take effect while litigation continues.

Similar Concerns at the National Level

The Ohio chapters' concerns align with those raised earlier this year by NAWBO National regarding the federal SAVE America Act. NAWBO National opposed the legislation because it raised concerns about how documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements could affect eligible women voters, particularly those whose names have changed.

What Ohio Voters Should Know

The deadline to register to vote for Ohio's November 3 general election is Monday, October 5. Ohioans can check their current registration status through the Ohio Secretary of State's voter information website.

NAWBO Columbus and NAWBO NEO encourage eligible Ohioans who are not registered, have recently moved, or have changed their name to check their registration status and update their information promptly.

About NAWBO Northeast Ohio

NAWBO Northeast Ohio (formerly NAWBO Cleveland) is an award-winning chapter, serving entrepreneurial women business owners through advocacy, education, leadership development, and networking opportunities. About NAWBO Columbus

Established in 1996, NAWBO Columbus is celebrating 30 years of advancing women business owners in Central Ohio. The chapter provides opportunities for business growth, leadership development, advocacy, and connection. It is one of the largest NAWBO chapters in the nation.

Media Contact:
NAWBO Columbus
Pam Georgiana
[email protected]
614-301-1791

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