Each one of us cares about the sanctity of our vote at the ballot box, and for this reason, there has been much debate about election laws at the Statehouse recently.

Whether it is a bill to modernize our elections system and provide for uniformity, to require photo identification at the polls, or to more easily allow those in the military overseas to vote, we have certainly been busy in regard to elections.

As things currently stand, there is no photo identification required to vote.

However, you still must bring documentation of who you are.

For example, you may use a utility bill or bank statement with your address on it. Of course, using photo identification might be the simplest method.

Additionally, anyone can request an absentee ballot without identification other than address.

There was a provision in a bill that recently became law saying you had to provide your Social Security number to register to vote online. However, the provision requiring a full Social Security number was stripped in a separate bill that enables those stationed in the military to register overseas. With so many examples of hackers getting into federal government websites, I do not think it is a good idea to allow online voter registration or voting. Regardless, there are some states experimenting with that concept.

With the recent legislation passed by the House, we can have a more modernized election system, while at the same time watching out for fraudulent situations.

The changes help to verify the accuracy of our state’s voter rolls, improve the verification process for valid provisional and absentee ballots, and help set statewide standards for absentee voting.

For example, it eliminates the golden week period for people to register and vote in the same day.

Not only do the reforms make voting more convenient, but it will also restore accountability and reduce costs for the taxpayers.

Some of the changes make all the sense in the world when we look at the technologically advanced age we are living in.

Other ways it increases voter access include making the law consistent with ramp requirements for disabled Ohioans, allowing those who change their name without changing addresses to vote with a regular ballot, and simplifying and reducing the number of reasons that a voter may be required to vote provisionally.

The changes are also ways of signifying that your vote is important.

I would encourage you to check your voter registration to see if it is up-to-date by contacting your local county Board of Elections.

If you are unsure of your registration, register again. It is easy to do so by going to your local library or to the county board of elections. Voting is both a right and privilege.

Making sure our election system is modernized and streamlined is of vital importance.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.