Ohio Voters Approve Issue 3 to Enshrine Photo ID Mandate in State Constitution
The approved amendment adds Section 5 to Article V of the Ohio Constitution, making voter photo identification rules permanent.
Ohio voters approved Issue 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 3, amending the Ohio Constitution to make government-issued photo identification a permanent requirement for voting.
Local television outlets 10TV and NBC4 alongside the Associated Press tracked election night projections as ballots were tallied. The Associated Press projected that Issue 3 has passed to add voter ID requirements to Ohio's constitution. On Tuesday, Ohio voters approved the constitutional amendment and passed Issue 3 to enshrine voter identification rules in the state. With passage, the amendment takes effect immediately, adding Section 5 to Article V of the state constitution.
Previously, Pique Media covered whether voters would enshrine photo ID in the state constitution and tracked the gubernatorial race as precinct returns narrowed the margin.
Voters enter the Franklin County Early Vote Center beneath the entrance banner in Columbus.
Credit: John Minchillo / Associated Press Image source
Constitutional Status and Existing Statute
For voters in Franklin County and statewide, procedural impact at polling places will be minimal. Ohio electors already faced photo identification requirements under state statute enacted when lawmakers passed a bill in 2022 that took effect in 2023, establishing that voters can no longer present utility bills or bank statements to cast an in-person ballot. Under current election rules, voter ID requirements will remain unchanged regardless of whether Issue 3 passes or fails.
The primary consequence of Issue 3 lies in its legal permanence. A future General Assembly could reverse state law unless requirements are placed in the constitution. With the amendment approved, any changes to the rules require an amendment to Ohio's constitution approved by more than 50 percent of voters.
According to League of Women Voters executive director Jen Miller, critics consider constitutional placement problematic because updating voter ID laws would require another statewide amendment process.
Accepted In-Person Identification
Under Section 5(C)(1) of Article V, electors voting in person must present an unexpired form of government-issued photo identification bearing their name and photograph. The amendment defines approved photo identification as:
- An unexpired Ohio driver's license or state ID card issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
- An official temporary identification document issued by the bureau while awaiting a permanent driver's license or state ID card;
- A United States passport or passport card; or
- A U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card, or an ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The constitutional text excludes out-of-state licenses, state university student IDs, and county veteran cards from approved in-person credentials.
Religious Exemptions and Mail-In Ballots
Section 5 establishes specific verification procedures for voters who do not possess photo identification due to religious beliefs or who choose to vote outside of polling places.
For in-person electors who lack government-issued photo identification because of a sincere religious objection to being photographed, the amendment directs that state law may provide an alternative verification of identity.
If voting by mail, voters are required to provide photo identification, or if authorized by Ohio law, present an approved signature and unique identifier.
Under the amendment, an authorized unique identifier includes a numeric or alphanumeric descriptor assigned to the elector by an agency of Ohio or the United States.
Political Debate and Campaign Arguments
The constitutional amendment originated in the Ohio General Assembly as Senate Joint Resolution 10, which Republican legislative majorities placed on the statewide ballot in June.
Representatives Adam Bird and Heidi Workman and senators Theresa Gavarone and Jane Timken submitted an argument in support of Issue 3, saying it would safeguard Ohio voters from imposters seeking to steal their vote. The lawmakers stated in their submission that the commonsense requirement will protect Ohio’s elections and is the standard to obtain a job, rent an apartment, board a plane, or drive a car.
In contrast, Democratic lawmakers Bill DeMora, Desiree Tims, and Terrence Upchurch submitted the official argument in opposition, asserting that the amendment scares Ohioans into not trusting the election system to boost weak political candidates. The opposing lawmakers argued that Issue 3 fails to provide safety measures while leaving voting rights, such as early voting and free state-issued IDs, vulnerable to attacks.
State Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, argued during floor debate that current photo identification and the laws governing it are already working as intended. Meanwhile, Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn pointed out existing law, arguing that lawmakers were spending all of their energy and time putting what is already the law into the Constitution.
The ballot question also generated debate in the 2026 gubernatorial election. Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton broke with her party to support Issue 3, stating that the proposal has overwhelming support across the state and does not change what is already law. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called photo ID common sense, while Libertarian candidate Don Kissick opposed Issue 3 alongside his running mate James Mills.
Video Watch video 0:48
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-issue-3-election-results-voter-identification/74327974
Supporting evidence (8)
The Associated Press projected that Issue 3 has passed to add voter ID requirements to Ohio's constitution.
Read supporting passage
Ohio Issue 3 on adding voter ID requirements to Ohio's constitution has passed, the Associated Press projects.
With passage, the amendment takes effect immediately, adding Section 5 to Article V of the state constitution.
Read supporting passage
With passage, the amendment takes effect immediately.
For in-person electors who lack government-issued photo identification because of a sincere religious objection to being photographed, the amendment directs that state law may provide an alternative verification of identity.
Read supporting passage
According to the proposed amendment, in-person voters who do not possess photo identification because of a sincere religious objection to being photographed would be permitted to provide an alternative verification of their identity, as provided by Ohio law.
If voting by mail, voters are required to provide photo identification, or if authorized by Ohio law, present an approved signature and unique identifier.
Read supporting passage
If voting by mail, voters would be required to provide specific types of government-issued photo identification, or if authorized by Ohio law, present a signature and at least one other unique identifier authorized for voting purposes.
Representatives Adam Bird and Heidi Workman and senators Theresa Gavarone and Jane Timken submitted an argument in support of Issue 3, saying it would safeguard Ohio voters from imposters seeking to steal their vote.
Read supporting passage
Representatives Adam Bird and Heidi Workman and senators Theresa Gavarone and Jane Timken submitted an argument in support of Issue 3, saying it would safeguard Ohio voters from "imposters seeking to steal their vote."
The lawmakers stated in their submission that the commonsense requirement will protect Ohio’s elections and is the standard to obtain a job, rent an apartment, board a plane, or drive a car.
Read supporting passage
"This commonsense requirement will protect Ohio’s elections and is the standard to obtain a job, rent an apartment, board a plane, or drive a car," the lawmakers stated in the submission.
In contrast, Democratic lawmakers Bill DeMora, Desiree Tims, and Terrence Upchurch submitted the official argument in opposition, asserting that the amendment scares Ohioans into not trusting the election system to boost weak political candidates.
Read supporting passage
In opposition to the amendment, Senator Bill DeMora and representatives Desiree Tims and Terrence Upchurch argued it scares Ohioans in to not trusting the election system to boost weak political candidates.
The opposing lawmakers argued that Issue 3 fails to provide safety measures while leaving voting rights, such as early voting and free state-issued IDs, vulnerable to attacks.
Read supporting passage
Issue 3 fails to provide any safety measures for our elections while leaving many of our voting rights, such as the right to vote early and the right to free voter IDs, open to attacks by extremists
Ohio voters pass Issue 3 voter ID amendment. What happens next?
Supporting evidence (1)
On Tuesday, Ohio voters approved the constitutional amendment and passed Issue 3 to enshrine voter identification rules in the state.
Read supporting passage
Ohio voters pass Issue 3 voter ID amendment. What happens next?
Issue 3 projected to pass, enshrine voter ID requirements in Ohio constitution
Supporting evidence (1)
On Tuesday, Ohio voters approved the constitutional amendment and passed Issue 3 to enshrine voter identification rules in the state.
Read supporting passage
On Tuesday, Ohio voters approved an amendment enshrining voter ID requirements in the state
Supporting evidence (4)
With passage, the amendment takes effect immediately, adding Section 5 to Article V of the state constitution.
Read supporting passage
The ballot measure would add Section 5 to Article V of the Ohio Constitution.
The amendment defines approved photo identification as:
Read supporting passage
Define approved forms of government-issued photo identification as an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card; a United States passport or passport card; or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.
An official temporary identification document issued by the bureau while awaiting a permanent driver's license or state ID card;
Read supporting passage
or a temporary document issued by that agency to an applicant for a driver’s license or state identification card that contains all of the information otherwise found on the license or card and that the applicant may use as a form of identification while waiting to receive the license or card
Under the amendment, an authorized unique identifier includes a numeric or alphanumeric descriptor assigned to the elector by an agency of Ohio or the United States.
Read supporting passage
A unique numeric or alphanumeric descriptor assigned to the elector by an agency of this state or the United States;
Ohio Voters Decide Whether to Enshrine Voter Photo ID in State Constitution
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media covered whether voters would enshrine photo ID in the state constitution and tracked the gubernatorial race as precinct returns narrowed the margin.
Read supporting passage
Ohio Voters Decide Whether to Enshrine Voter Photo ID in State Constitution
Acton Leads Ohio Governor Race as Precinct Returns Narrow Margin
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media covered whether voters would enshrine photo ID in the state constitution and tracked the gubernatorial race as precinct returns narrowed the margin.
Read supporting passage
Acton Leads Ohio Governor Race as Precinct Returns Narrow Margin
Supporting evidence (4)
Ohio electors already faced photo identification requirements under state statute enacted when lawmakers passed a bill in 2022 that took effect in 2023, establishing that voters can no longer present utility bills or bank statements to cast an in-person ballot.
Read supporting passage
Ohio law already requires citizens to provide photo identification before voting thanks to a bill the lawmakers passed in 2022 and took effect in 2023.
State Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, argued during floor debate that current photo identification and the laws governing it are already working as intended.
Read supporting passage
“Our current form of photo identification and the laws that govern it are working as they were intended, yet many of my colleagues across the aisle have decided today that the urgent issue of the moment …. is to turn this existing law that is already working into a change in our constitution,” said state Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington.
Meanwhile, Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn pointed out existing law, arguing that lawmakers were spending all of their energy and time putting what is already the law into the Constitution.
Read supporting passage
Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, also pointed out the existing law.
Meanwhile, Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn pointed out existing law, arguing that lawmakers were spending all of their energy and time putting what is already the law into the Constitution.
Read supporting passage
“We are spending all of our energy and time on putting something that is already the law as it relates to voter ID into the Constitution,” he said.
Supporting evidence (6)
Ohio electors already faced photo identification requirements under state statute enacted when lawmakers passed a bill in 2022 that took effect in 2023, establishing that voters can no longer present utility bills or bank statements to cast an in-person ballot.
Read supporting passage
You may no longer use bank statements or utility bills.
A future General Assembly could reverse state law unless requirements are placed in the constitution.
Read supporting passage
A future General Assembly could reverse the law, unless it’s in the Constitution.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton broke with her party to support Issue 3, stating that the proposal has overwhelming support across the state and does not change what is already law.
Read supporting passage
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton is breaking with her party to support Issue 3, an amendment proposed by Republican lawmakers to enshrine the state’s voter photo ID requirement in the state constitution.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton broke with her party to support Issue 3, stating that the proposal has overwhelming support across the state and does not change what is already law.
Read supporting passage
“This amendment has overwhelming support from Ohioans across the state,” Acton said. “As this doesn’t change what is already law, as governor, I will support it.”
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called photo ID common sense, while Libertarian candidate Don Kissick opposed Issue 3 alongside his running mate James Mills.
Read supporting passage
“That’s common sense,” Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for governor, said Friday.
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called photo ID common sense, while Libertarian candidate Don Kissick opposed Issue 3 alongside his running mate James Mills.
Read supporting passage
Libertarian governor candidate Don Kissick and his running mate, James Mills, oppose Issue 3.
https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-2026-midterm-elections-what-is-issue-3-explainer/74308373
Supporting evidence (4)
Under current election rules, voter ID requirements will remain unchanged regardless of whether Issue 3 passes or fails.
Read supporting passage
Regardless of whether Issue 3 passes or fails, Ohio's voter ID requirements will remain unchanged.
With the amendment approved, any changes to the rules require an amendment to Ohio's constitution approved by more than 50 percent of voters.
Read supporting passage
If the amendment is approved, any changes to the rules would require an amendment to Ohio's constitution, a lengthy process that requires approval from more than 50 percent of Ohio voters once reaching the ballot.
According to League of Women Voters executive director Jen Miller, critics consider constitutional placement problematic because updating voter ID laws would require another statewide amendment process.
Read supporting passage
Jen Miller is the executive director of the Ohio League of Women voters
According to League of Women Voters executive director Jen Miller, critics consider constitutional placement problematic because updating voter ID laws would require another statewide amendment process.
Read supporting passage
While others would say it's not necessary to put it in the Ohio Constitution, and fact, that's problematic, because if we need to update our voter ID laws, we would have to go through another constitutional amendment process.