Issue 3
Background
Issue 3 (Require Voter Identification Amendment) is a statewide ballot measure proposed by a Joint Resolution of the Ohio General Assembly. It would amend the Ohio Constitution to include a requirement for government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
Ohio already requires photo identification to vote, originally established as state law in 2023. Issue 3 is proposing whether photo ID requirements should be written into the state constitution, including listing approved forms of photo identification and establishing certain requirements for voters who do not vote in person, such as by absentee ballot.
The amendment defines approved forms of government-issued photo ID as the following:
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card
- A temporary BMV document issued while an applicant waits for a driver’s license or state ID, as long as it includes the same information as the permanent credential document
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- A U.S. military identification card
- An Ohio National Guard identification card
- A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification card
If an in-person voter is unable to provide an acceptable photo ID, they would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, which is generally counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of identification to their county board of elections within four days after Election Day.
The ballot measure also states that voters who are not voting in person, such as by absentee ballot, must do one of the following when requesting and returning a ballot: (1) provide specific types of government-issued photo identification, or (2) if authorized by Ohio law, present a signature and at least one other unique identifier authorized for voting purposes.
The amendment language sets new requirements for absentee ballot request applications, which currently allow the use of an Ohio driver’s license or state ID number, the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number, or a copy of an acceptable photo ID.
Endorsements
Support:
- Ohio Republican Candidate for Secretary of State Robert Sprague
- Ohio Republican Candidate for Governor Vivek Ramaswamy
- Ohio Democratic Candidate for Governor Amy Acton
- The Ohio Christian Alliance
Opposition:
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
- Ohio Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State Allison Russo
- Ohio Libertarian Candidate for Secretary of State Tom Pruss
- ACLU of Ohio
- Ohio Citizen Action
Background
Issue 3 (Require Voter Identification Amendment) is a statewide ballot measure proposed by a Joint Resolution of the Ohio General Assembly. It would amend the Ohio Constitution to include a requirement for government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
Ohio already requires photo identification to vote, originally established as state law in 2023. Issue 3 is proposing whether photo ID requirements should be written into the state constitution, including listing approved forms of photo identification and establishing certain requirements for voters who do not vote in person, such as by absentee ballot.
The amendment defines approved forms of government-issued photo ID as the following:
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card
- A temporary BMV document issued while an applicant waits for a driver’s license or state ID, as long as it includes the same information as the permanent credential document
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- A U.S. military identification card
- An Ohio National Guard identification card
- A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification card
If an in-person voter is unable to provide an acceptable photo ID, they would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, which is generally counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of identification to their county board of elections within four days after Election Day.
The ballot measure also states that voters who are not voting in person, such as by absentee ballot, must do one of the following when requesting and returning a ballot: (1) provide specific types of government-issued photo identification, or (2) if authorized by Ohio law, present a signature and at least one other unique identifier authorized for voting purposes.
The amendment language sets new requirements for absentee ballot request applications, which currently allow the use of an Ohio driver’s license or state ID number, the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number, or a copy of an acceptable photo ID.
Endorsements
Support:
- Ohio Republican Candidate for Secretary of State Robert Sprague
- Ohio Republican Candidate for Governor Vivek Ramaswamy
- Ohio Democratic Candidate for Governor Amy Acton
- The Ohio Christian Alliance
Opposition:
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
- Ohio Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State Allison Russo
- Ohio Libertarian Candidate for Secretary of State Tom Pruss
- ACLU of Ohio
- Ohio Citizen Action
