Ohio Issue 3 passes, locking voter ID into constitution

Ohio voters approved Issue 3 on Nov. 3, writing the state's existing photo-ID requirement into the Ohio Constitution. The amendment passed 65%-35%, according to unofficial results reported by the Columbus Dispatch.

The Associated Press declared Issue 3 the winner at 9:33 p.m. on election night, Signal Ohio reported, based on its analysis that not enough uncounted votes remained to alter the outcome. The amendment took effect immediately upon passage.

	Result	Percentage
Yes	Passed	65%
No	—	35%

Source: Unofficial results via the Ohio Secretary of State. Results are unofficial until certified by election officials.

What changed

Issue 3 was the only statewide ballot measure. It added a new Section 5 to Article V of the Ohio Constitution, according to the Secretary of State's certified materials.

Ohio already required photo ID for in-person voting under a 2023 law (House Bill 458). The amendment does not change what voters need to bring to the polls. It locks the requirement into the Constitution, meaning any future change would need another statewide vote rather than a simple legislative repeal.

The General Assembly placed the amendment on the ballot through Senate Joint Resolution 10, a Republican-sponsored resolution that passed in June, as first reported by Fox 8. A three-fifths supermajority approved the measure.

What it means for Hilliard voters

For in-person voting, the constitutional requirement matches current law. Accepted IDs include an unexpired Ohio driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport or passport card, and U.S. military, Ohio National Guard or Veterans Affairs ID.

For absentee and mail voters, the amendment requires photo ID or, if authorized by state law, a signature and at least one other unique identifier. Current law allows absentee voters to use a driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, according to WTOL. The amendment allows lawmakers to keep that alternative but does not guarantee it.

Arguments for and against

In the official argument supporting Issue 3, prepared by Rep. Adam Bird, Rep. Heidi Workman, Sen. Theresa Gavarone and Sen. Jane Timken, supporters said constitutional protection would deter impersonation, improve public confidence and prevent future legislatures from repealing the requirement.

Both gubernatorial candidates, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, supported Issue 3, Fox 8 reported.

The official argument against, prepared by Sen. Bill DeMora, Rep. Desiree Tims and Rep. Terrence Upchurch, called the amendment unnecessary. Opponents said constitutionalizing the ID list limits flexibility as identification technology changes.

Republican Treasurer Robert Sprague said after the vote that the amendment ensures "photo ID is always there for our elections no matter who's in office," the Dispatch reported. Democrats accused Republicans of using the measure to distract from other issues, the Dispatch reported.