CLEVELAND – Victims of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes can ask to have their addresses shielded from certain public records in Ohio under a new law.
Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted launched the address confidentially program in Cleveland on Thursday, when the law took effect (below).
The program lets victims apply for a confidential address from Husted’s office if they’re worried about attackers tracking them down through their voter registration or another public record.
“The terrible reality is that victims in Ohio cannot safely register to vote, or provide a personal address on government documents, without making it a public record,” said Rep. Mike Duffey (R–Worthington), who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Sandra Williams (D–Cleveland).
“In one case, a woman was tracked three times as she moved to avoid her abuser, but because her address wasn’t confidential, that abuser was able to find her and climb into her bedroom window at night carrying a gun,” Duffey said.
Victims could use the address when registering to vote or for any business with a government agency, such as a city water department, school or public university. The secretary of state’s office would forward mail to the real address daily.
Ohio is the 39th state to establish a voter registration address confidentiality program.
Victims of sexual assault and human trafficking also can apply for a confidential address.