Lillian Beasely
Contributing Writer
Republican state lawmakers voted in June to add Ohio Issue 3 to the midterm ballot this November. If approved, Issue 3 would add voter identification requirements to the Ohio constitution. The proposed amendment would make Ohio’s existing photo identification requirements more permanent.
Ohio has required approved forms of identification for voting since Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 on Jan. 6, 2023. Acceptable forms of identification include an Ohio driver’s license, state identification card, U.S. passport or certain military identification cards. Digital copies of most identification forms are not accepted at polling locations.
If approved by voters, Issue 3 would add a photo identification requirement to Article V of the Ohio Constitution. The amendment would establish which forms of government-issued identification voters can use and include an alternative verification process for voters with religious objections to photographs. A majority in favor is needed to pass the amendment.
Supporters argue that adding these requirements to the constitution would strengthen election security. Strengthening elections would give voters more faith in the voting process and fair elections, according to supporters. Ohio State Senator Jerry Cirino, a Republican in support of Issue 3, told Cleveland 19 News that he believes voter identification is important in making sure that there is voter integrity in Ohio.
Opponents argue that the amendment would provide no clear benefit because of Ohio’s law that already requires voters to bring ID to the polls. The law already being in place means an amendment would have little immediate effect on how voting works but would make modifying the law significantly harder in the future. Opponents also argue that future voting rights, such as absentee voting, mail-in voting and accessibility of voting for certain groups, are left open to legislative changes with the passage of Issue 3.
On Jun. 8, 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in support of the amendment, urging Ohio voters to “PASS THIS NOW” and “enshrine VOTER I.D. in the State Constitution.” This aligns with Trump’s assertions since the 2020 election regarding election administration and his later federal voter ID legislative proposal, the SAVE America Act.
Although there is no centralized group leading the formal opposition to Issue 3, many groups and public figures have stepped forward in opposition. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio described the amendment as unnecessary because of the states’ existing decision to put voter I.D. laws into place. State representative Allison Russo, the Democratic nominee for Ohio Secretary of State, and Tom Pruss, the libertarian candidate for Secretary of State, both oppose the amendment.
The overall debate over Issue 3 centers around whether Ohio’s existing voter identification requirements should receive more permanent constitutional protection. While supporters view the amendment as a way to preserve safeguards for the crucial constitutional right to vote, opponents question whether the change is necessary and what effects it could have on future voting policies.
Ohio voters will decide on the issue during the November 3 general election. The outcome will determine whether photo identification requirements remain a matter of state law or become a requirement embedded in the Ohio Constitution.
