Ohio Voters Add In-Person Photo ID Rule to Constitution

Ohio voters approved Issue 3 on November 3, adding the state’s existing photo-identification requirement for in-person voting to the state constitution. The amendment protects the requirement from repeal through an ordinary change in state law, though it does not change current voting procedures, according to the measure’s description. The Associated Press called the measure before 10 p.m., reporting that the remaining uncounted ballots could not change the outcome. One account reported 65% support as of 9:50 p.m.; another reported a 66% to 34% margin. Those figures reflect different reported counts or observation times, and the available results do not establish one final percentage. Under the amendment, voters casting ballots in person must present an approved form of government-issued photo identification. Ohio already required photo ID for in-person voting. The constitutional change means a future alteration to the requirement would need voter approval rather than a routine legislative change. Issue 3 does not require voters to cast ballots in person and does not impose a photo-ID requirement on mail voting. It allows state law to authorize mail voters to verify their...