Issue 3: Voter ID
On every Ohio ballot, November 3, 2026 · a legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Adds a photo ID requirement for in-person voting to the Ohio Constitution, and for other voting methods requires photo ID or, where state law allows, a signature and one other identifying number.
The General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 10 in June 2026 (Senate 22-9, House 62-30), and the Ohio Ballot Board approved the ballot language 4-1 on August 3, 2026; it is the only statewide issue on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
What the ballot says
As certified by the Ohio Ballot Board on 2026-08-03, word for word.
TO REQUIRE VOTERS TO PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION IN ORDER TO VOTE
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly To enact Section 5 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Ohio A majority yes vote is required for the adoption of Section 5. This proposed amendment would: • Require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote. • Allow state law to provide for an alternative method of verifying a voter’s identity for a voter who has a sincere religious objection to being photographed and, therefore, does not possess an approved form of government-issued photo identification. • Require that voters who do not vote in person provide an approved form of government-issued photo identification, unless the law authorizes those persons to vote by providing a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier. • 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. If approved, the amendment shall take effect immediately. A "YES" vote means approval of the amendment. A "NO" vote means disapproval of the amendment.
SHALL THE AMENDMENT BE APPROVED?
The Ohio Ballot Board approved this language 4-1 on August 3, 2026; state Rep. Terrence Upchurch cast the vote against, according to Signal Ohio.
Sources: Proposed Amendment to the Ohio Constitution: Issue 3 (ballot language, explanation, arguments and full text, as certified) · Proposed Constitutional Amendment (certified ballot language) · certified-ballot-language-08-03-2026 (copy posted by Signal Ohio) · Ballot language set for Issue 3, the Ohio voter ID amendment · Ohio Ballot Board OKs language that puts Issue 3, or photo ID, on ballot
The state's explanation, as certified
Issue 3 asks Ohio voters to consider an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio that was proposed by a three-fifths supermajority of the Ohio General Assembly. If approved, the proposed amendment would require Ohio voters to present a government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
To vote in person, voters would be required to present one of the specific types of government-issued photo identification listed. 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.
To vote by another method under Ohio law, such as absentee voting by mail, voters would be required to do one of the following: (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.
Placed on the ballot by Sub. S.J.R. 10 of the 136th General Assembly, "Proposing to enact Section 5 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to require identification to vote." · full text.
What your vote does
A yes vote
A yes vote adds Section 5 to Article V of the Ohio Constitution, which requires photo ID to vote in person and, for other voting methods, photo ID or, if state law allows, a signature and one other unique identifier; the Legislative Service Commission says it would not require changes to current voter ID law but would limit how that law could be changed later.
Sources: Proposed Constitutional Amendment (certified ballot language) · S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis
A no vote
A no vote leaves the Ohio Constitution unchanged, so Ohio's voter ID requirements stay in state law, where the General Assembly can change them by passing a bill without a statewide vote.
Sources: Proposed Constitutional Amendment (certified ballot language) · S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis · Ballot language set for Issue 3, the Ohio voter ID amendment
What the law says today
Since April 7, 2023, under House Bill 458 of the 134th General Assembly, Ohio law requires photo ID to vote in person (Revised Code 3505.18), and a mail voter must give name, address, birthdate and signature plus a driver's license or state ID number, the last four digits of the Social Security number, or a copy of a photo ID (Revised Code 3509.05).
Sources: House Bill 458, 134th General Assembly · Section 3505.18, Ohio Revised Code · Section 3509.05, Ohio Revised Code · S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis
The official arguments
Published for voters by the Secretary of State, written by the people the General Assembly named. Excerpts in their own words; the full text is at the source.
The official argument for
A YES vote on Issue 3 protects Ohio’s elections by placing photo ID requirements for voters into Ohio’s Constitution, safeguarding Ohio’s voters from imposters seeking to steal their vote. Requiring a photo ID helps verify a voter’s identity and ensures that only legal votes are counted.
Representative Adam Bird, Representative Heidi Workman, Senator Theresa Gavarone, and Senator Jane Timken · 2026-08-18
Source: Argument in Support of Issue 3
Safeguarding the Future: States without constitutional voter photo ID requirements have recently repealed photo ID laws. Election laws should not change dramatically every few years based on shifting political majorities, and a constitutional protection provides stability, reliability, and trust in the system.
Representative Adam Bird, Representative Heidi Workman, Senator Theresa Gavarone, and Senator Jane Timken · 2026-08-18
Source: Argument in Support of Issue 3
The official argument against
Issue 3 seeks to scare Ohioans into not trusting our election system to boost weak political candidates. Photo Identification is already the law and this amendment locks in voter burden with no voter protections.
Senator Bill DeMora and Representatives Desiree Tims and Terrence Upchurch · 2026-08-18
Source: Argument Against Issue 3
Constitutional amendments remove flexibility exactly where flexibility is needed. Issue 3 blocks county issued veterans IDs and digital military IDs currently in use. Today in Ohio you can use your digital wallet to fly but not to vote. This amendment locks out future technology that will be both more secure and more available.
Senator Bill DeMora and Representatives Desiree Tims and Terrence Upchurch · 2026-08-18
Source: Argument Against Issue 3
How the legislature voted
| Chamber | Date | Motion | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | 2026-06-03 | Adopted | 22 | 9 |
| House | 2026-06-10 | Adopted | 62 | 30 |
Senate: All 22 yeas were Republicans; the 9 nays were 8 Democrats and 1 Republican.
House: All 62 yeas were Republicans and all 30 nays were Democrats.
Sources: Senate Joint Resolution 10: Votes · S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis
Sources: Senate Joint Resolution 10: Votes · S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis
Each state legislator's own vote is on their page under Record in office.
Campaigns and money
Ohio Republican Party (supporting) · Alex Triantafilou, chair, Ohio Republican Party
The Ohio Republican Party runs the campaign for a yes vote and published a "Vote Yes On Issue 3" page on September 24, 2026; Signal Ohio reported on September 1, 2026 that the state party is running the effort. No ballot issue committee for either side has been identified in the records we checked. Ohio's pre-general campaign finance reports were due October 22, 2026, covering activity through October 14, and we have not read them for an Issue 3 committee, so no figures for either side are given here; the monthly reports due earlier in the fall are required of statewide candidates only.
Sources: What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained · Ohio Issue 3, Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026) · Vote Yes On Issue 3 · Ohio Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar 2026
No organized campaign reported (opposing)
No group or coalition is leading the campaign against Issue 3. Signal Ohio reported on September 1, 2026 that there was none and that the three authors of the official argument against had not heard of one; since then the ACLU of Ohio restated its opposition in a September 22, 2026 article and Red Wine and Blue's 2026 Ohio voting guide asked for a no vote, each on its own. No ballot issue committee has been identified in the records we checked. Ohio's pre-general campaign finance reports were due October 22, 2026, covering activity through October 14, and we have not read them for an Issue 3 committee, so no figures for either side are given here; the monthly reports due earlier in the fall are required of statewide candidates only.
Sources: What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained · Ohio Issue 3, Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026) · Picture This: Issue 3 Puts Strict Photo ID on the Ballot · 2026 Ohio Voting Guide · Ohio Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar 2026
Who has said what
Public, dated statements, in the speaker's own words, listed by date.
Supporting
Donald Trump, President of the United States · 2026-06
I am now asking all of my Republican friends in the State House to, also, PASS THIS NOW, and put a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot so that the Great People of Ohio can vote to enshrine VOTER I.D. in the State Constitution.
Source: Donald Trump Speaks Out on Ohio Voter ID
Honest Elections Project Action (Jason Snead, executive director) · 2026-06-05
Our latest polling confirms that voter ID is exceedingly popular in Ohio.
Source: Poll Shows Ohio Voters Support Voter ID Amendment
Ohio Republican Party · 2026-07-06
Ohio Republicans are taking action to protect the integrity of every Ohioan’s vote, and the Ohio Republican Party is all in.
Sources: All In For Voter ID · What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained
Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican nominee for governor · 2026-07-06
Too often, this issue has been politicized in other contests, but Ohio has an opportunity to show America how it’s done, through decisive constitutional action adopted directly by voters, adopted in a unifying manner rather than through division.
Sources: All In For Voter ID · What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot? · What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained
Robert Sprague, Republican nominee for secretary of state · 2026-07-29
We should be protecting elections here in the state of Ohio
Source: What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?
Heidi Workman, state representative (R-Rootstown) · 2026-08-05
State Representative Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) is calling on Ohioans to support a straightforward measure that strengthens election integrity: putting our existing photo ID requirement to vote into the Ohio Constitution so it can’t easily be weakened later.
Source: State Rep. Heidi Workman Applauds Adoption of State Issue 3 Ballot Language
Amy Acton, Democratic nominee for governor · 2026-08-07
This amendment has overwhelming support from Ohioans across the state. As this doesn’t change what is already law, as governor, I will support it
Source: Amy Acton backs Issue 3, the voter ID amendment, breaking with Ohio Democrats
Tribune Chronicle editorial board (Warren) · 2026-09-19
We agree with the extra sticking power of inclusion of photo identification mandates in the Ohio Constitution.
Sources: Issue 3 may be odd, but it merits support · Issue 3 may be odd, but it merits support
Opposing
Allison Russo, Democratic nominee for secretary of state · 2026-06
It is highly flawed. It lacks many of the key protections for Ohio’s eligible voters
Sources: Amy Acton backs Issue 3, the voter ID amendment, breaking with Ohio Democrats · What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?
ACLU of Ohio · 2026-06-02
The ACLU of Ohio urges Ohio voters to vote no on Issue 3 this November.
Sources: Important 2026 Election Resources and Information · Senate Joint Resolution 10 - Opponent Testimony · Picture This: Issue 3 Puts Strict Photo ID on the Ballot
Tom Pruss, Libertarian nominee for secretary of state · 2026-07-29
That gives partisan lawmakers significant power to restrict mail voting later, potentially affecting seniors, military personnel, voters with disabilities, rural residents, shift workers, and others who cannot easily vote in person
Source: What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?
Ohio Citizen Action · 2026-08-04
Voter ID is already state law. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Ohio. Yet lawmakers fast-tracked a constitutional amendment to permanently lock in voter ID requirements.
Sources: 2026 Election Endorsements · Vote NO on the constitutional amendment
Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation · 2026-08-13
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (OLBCF) today announced its opposition to Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment on Ohio's November ballot that would embed the state's restrictive voter identification requirements in the Ohio Constitution.
Source: OLBCF Opposes Issue 3 and Stands With the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
Ohio Democratic Party (Marisa Nahem, spokesperson) · 2026-09-01
While Statehouse Republicans spend their time pushing an unnecessary ballot initiative that doesn’t change the current law, the Ohio Democratic Party will continue our work to ensure that every eligible Ohio voter is able to cast their ballot free from unnecessary barriers
Source: What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained
Red Wine and Blue · 2026-09-05
Every Ohio voter will see Issue 3 on the ballot. We’re voting NO because it would take Ohio’s flawed voter ID law and write it into the constitution.
Sources: 2026 Ohio Voting Guide · 2026 Ohio Issue 3
Claims checked
None found in the records checked
No fact-check of Issue 3 has been published by PolitiFact, FactCheck.org or the Associated Press as of October 15, 2026. Reuters' fact-check section could not be read. Ohio outlets' own checks were searched too.
Polling
Suffolk University · 2026-09-23 to 2026-09-27 · 500 likely voters, live telephone interviews; margin of error 4.4 points: favor 61%, oppose 31.2%, undecided 7.8%
Question: Your November ballot includes Issue 3 - a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would require a photo ID to vote. Do you support or oppose this question?
Asked of 500 likely Ohio voters by live telephone interview; the poll's separate Portage County sample did not include this question.
Sources: Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Ohio Poll, press release, October 2, 2026 · SUPRC / USA TODAY Network Ohio, likely Ohio voters, 9/23-9/27, complete statewide marginals
Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network, with YouGov · 2026-09-01 to 2026-09-10 · 1,000 Ohio likely voters, online through the YouGov panel; margin of error 4 points in the toplines, 3.96 as reported by WCMH: favor 64%, not sure 7%, oppose 29%, somewhat favor 20%, somewhat oppose 13%, strongly favor 44%, strongly oppose 16%
Question: Do you favor or oppose amending the Ohio Constitution to require voter ID?
The question wording and the breakdown come from the poll's own toplines, posted to ScholarWorks@BGSU on September 15, 2026: strongly favor 44, somewhat favor 20, somewhat oppose 13, strongly oppose 16, not sure 7. The toplines give the margin of error as 4 points; the news report of the poll gave 3.96.
Sources: Survey of 1000 Ohio Likely Voters, September 2026 Toplines (question 31) · Toplines, Ohio likely voters, September 1-10, 2026 · Ohio poll: Democrats lead, but voters expect Republicans to win Senate, governor's races
Honest Elections Project Action · 2026-05-27 to 2026-06-02 · 800 likely voters (400 phone, 400 online); margin of error 3.46 points: would vote for 76%
Question: would vote for a constitutional amendment that would require every voter to show a photo ID to vote in person
Sponsored and conducted by a group that supports voter ID laws, before the resolution's final text was adopted; the memo publishes the share in favor only.
Sources: Ohio polling memo, June 2026 · Poll Shows Ohio Voters Support Voter ID Amendment
Echelon Insights · 2026-10-16 to 2026-10-23 · 508 likely voters (Ohio oversample of a 3,644-voter national survey), +/- 5.2, field period October 16-23, 2026; online and text-to-web; conducted for NetChoice, a technology trade association: favor 70%, oppose 28%, undecided 2%
Question: State Issue 3 would require voters to present photo identification in order to vote. Would you vote yes or no on State Issue 3 in the November 2026 election?
Asked of the 508 likely Ohio voters in the Ohio oversample; already-voted respondents (20% of the sample) were asked how they voted. Conducted for NetChoice, a technology trade association, and released with a technology and antitrust survey; the Issue 3 question is a side question in it.
Sources: NetChoice Fall 2026 Antitrust Tech Survey, Topline (Echelon Insights), Ohio columns · NetChoice-Echelon Insights poll release, October 27, 2026
Sources
- Proposed Amendment to the Ohio Constitution: Issue 3 (ballot language, explanation, arguments and full text, as certified) · Ohio Secretary of State
- Proposed Constitutional Amendment (certified ballot language) · Ohio Secretary of State
- certified-ballot-language-08-03-2026 (copy posted by Signal Ohio) · Signal Ohio
- Argument in Support of Issue 3 · Ohio Secretary of State
- Argument Against Issue 3 · Ohio Secretary of State
- Senate Joint Resolution 10, 136th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature
- Sub. S.J.R. 10, As Enrolled · The Ohio Legislature
- Senate Joint Resolution 10: Votes · The Ohio Legislature
- Senate Joint Resolution 10: Status · The Ohio Legislature
- S.J.R. 10 Final Analysis · Ohio Legislative Service Commission
- S.J.R. 10 Final Fiscal Note & Local Impact Statement · Ohio Legislative Service Commission
- House Bill 458, 134th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature
- Section 3505.18, Ohio Revised Code · Ohio Legislative Service Commission
- Section 3509.05, Ohio Revised Code · Ohio Legislative Service Commission
- House Bill 472, 136th General Assembly: Status · The Ohio Legislature
- Ballot language set for Issue 3, the Ohio voter ID amendment · Signal Ohio
- Ohio Ballot Board OKs language that puts Issue 3, or photo ID, on ballot · The Statehouse News Bureau
- What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained · Signal Ohio
- Ohio Secretary of State Posts Pros and Cons of Voter ID Law · The Well News
- Ohio 2026 ballot measures · Ballotpedia
- Ohio Issue 3, Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026) · Ballotpedia
- 2026 Ohio Issue 3 · Wikipedia
- What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot? · Ohio Capital Journal
- Amy Acton backs Issue 3, the voter ID amendment, breaking with Ohio Democrats · Signal Ohio
- Donald Trump Speaks Out on Ohio Voter ID · The Daily Signal
- Poll Shows Ohio Voters Support Voter ID Amendment · The Daily Signal
- Ohio polling memo, June 2026 · Honest Elections Project Action
- State Rep. Heidi Workman Applauds Adoption of State Issue 3 Ballot Language · Ohio House of Representatives
- Issue 3 may be odd, but it merits support · Tribune Chronicle
- 2026 Election Endorsements · Ohio Citizen Action
- Vote NO on the constitutional amendment · Ohio Citizen Action
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 - Opponent Testimony · ACLU of Ohio
- Important 2026 Election Resources and Information · ACLU of Ohio
- OLBCF Opposes Issue 3 and Stands With the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus · Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
- All In For Voter ID · Ohio Republican Party
- Ohio poll: Democrats lead, but voters expect Republicans to win Senate, governor's races · WCMH (NBC4), via Yahoo News
- Ohio Campaign Finance Reporting Calendar 2026 · Ohio Secretary of State
- Vote Yes On Issue 3 · Ohio Republican Party
- Picture This: Issue 3 Puts Strict Photo ID on the Ballot · ACLU of Ohio
- Issue 3 may be odd, but it merits support · The Vindicator
- 2026 Ohio Voting Guide · Red Wine and Blue
- Survey of 1000 Ohio Likely Voters, September 2026 Toplines (question 31) · Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Network, with YouGov
- Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Ohio Poll, press release, October 2, 2026 · Suffolk University
- SUPRC / USA TODAY Network Ohio, likely Ohio voters, 9/23-9/27, complete statewide marginals · Suffolk University
- Toplines, Ohio likely voters, September 1-10, 2026 · Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network, with YouGov
- NetChoice Fall 2026 Antitrust Tech Survey, Topline (Echelon Insights), Ohio columns · Echelon Insights
- NetChoice-Echelon Insights poll release, October 27, 2026 · NetChoice