10-13-2026 8:14pm

Ohio Voters to Decide Whether Photo ID Requirement Should Be Added to State Constitution

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, OH — Ohio voters will decide Nov. 3 whether the state’s existing photo identification requirements for voting should be placed into the Ohio Constitution.

State Issue 3, titled the Require Voter Identification Amendment, is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. A majority “yes” vote is required for passage.

Ohio law already requires voters casting ballots in person to present an accepted form of photo identification. Issue 3 would go a step further by making a photo ID requirement part of the state constitution, making it more difficult for a future General Assembly to change the basic requirement through ordinary legislation.

Under the official ballot language, the amendment would require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote. Approved identification would include an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card, a U.S. passport or passport card, certain U.S. military identification cards, an Ohio National Guard ID or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification card. 03_Constitutional_Amendment_Req…

The amendment also addresses voters who do not cast their ballots in person. Those voters would generally be required to provide an approved form of government-issued photo identification unless state law allows their identity to be verified through a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier.

An exception could be provided under state law for voters with a sincere religious objection to being photographed who therefore do not possess an approved photo ID.

Supporters say amendment would protect election rules

Supporters argue that putting the requirement in the Ohio Constitution would help protect election integrity and prevent future legislatures from eliminating the photo ID requirement.

The official argument supporting Issue 3 says photo identification helps election officials verify that voters are who they claim to be and can increase public confidence in election results. Supporters also point out that Ohio already requires photo identification under state law and that free state identification cards are available to eligible voting-age residents.

Supporters contend that placing the requirement in the constitution would provide stability by preventing photo ID rules from changing substantially when political control of state government changes.

Opponents say constitutional amendment is unnecessary

Opponents argue that Issue 3 is unnecessary because Ohio already has a photo identification requirement.

The official argument against the amendment says Ohio’s current election system is secure and contends that placing specific identification requirements in the constitution could limit the state’s ability to adjust voting procedures as technology and identification methods change.

Opponents also raise concerns about how future lawmakers could regulate absentee and other forms of voting under the amendment and argue that certain identification methods that could become widely accepted in the future may not qualify unless the constitution is changed again.

What a yes or no vote means

A YES vote supports adding the government-issued photo identification requirement to the Ohio Constitution.
A NO vote would reject the constitutional amendment. Ohio’s existing photo ID law would remain in place unless separately changed through the legislative or legal process.

The amendment would take effect immediately if approved.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has encouraged residents to review the official ballot language and arguments from both supporters and opponents before voting. The proposal will appear statewide as Issue 3 on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Early in-person and absentee voting began Oct. 6. Election Day polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3.