Ohio voters will decide this November whether to add a photo identification requirement to the state constitution.
State Issue 3 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
The measure was proposed through a joint resolution of the Ohio General Assembly and will appear on the November 3 general election ballot.
If approved, Issue 3 would define the acceptable forms of identification as an unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card; a United States passport or passport card; or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.
The amendment would allow state law to establish an alternative way to verify the identity of voters who have a sincere religious objection to being photographed and therefore do not have an approved photo ID.
The proposal also addresses voters who do not vote in person.
Those voters would generally be required to provide an approved government-issued photo ID unless state law allows them to verify their identity using a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier.
If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would take effect immediately.
A “Yes” vote would approve the amendment, while a “No” vote would reject it.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is encouraging voters to review the official wording and arguments for and against Issue 3 before making their decision.
Information about Issue 3 is available through the Ohio Secretary of State’s website HERE.
