Ohio voters to decide whether to put photo ID requirement in state constitution

Ohio voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to place the state’s existing photo identification requirement for in-person voting into the Ohio Constitution.

Ohio law already requires photo identification for in-person voting, meaning approval of State Issue 3 would not immediately change that requirement. Instead, putting the requirement in the state constitution would make it more difficult for future lawmakers to change or eliminate it.

Under current Ohio law, voters can use an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, state identification card or interim identification form, U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military or military dependent identification, Ohio National Guard identification or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs identification.

The proposed amendment would largely preserve the existing list of acceptable identification and allow lawmakers to maintain an exemption for voters with a sincere religious objection to being photographed.

Although it includes language addressing voters who do not cast their ballots in person, Issue 3 would not require voters casting ballots by mail to provide photo identification.

An analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission says the amendment would allow the General Assembly to decide whether to require photo identification for mail voting or continue allowing voters to use a signature and certain nonphoto identification.

Under current law, Ohio absentee voters can use identifying information such as the last four digits of their Social Security number instead of providing photo identification.

Issue 3 reached the ballot through Senate Joint Resolution 10, sponsored by state Sens. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and Jane Timken, R-Canton.

The Senate adopted the resolution in June before the House voted 62-30 to send the proposed constitutional amendment to voters.

Supporters argue placing the requirement in the Ohio Constitution would prevent future lawmakers from eliminating Ohio’s existing photo ID requirement.

Opponents argue the amendment is unnecessary because state law already requires photo identification, and that putting the current requirements into the constitution would make it harder to adjust them as identification technology and voting procedures change.

Republican leaders have made Issue 3 part of their campaign efforts heading into the November election.

“They can’t pass the Save America Act. OK, fine,” Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou said at an Issue 3 campaign event in August, Signal Ohio reported. “But you know what we can do in Ohio? We can pass Issue 3.”

The federal SAVE America Act would address proof-of-citizenship and voter-identification requirements at the federal level. Issue 3, however, does not add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the Ohio Constitution.

A “yes” vote would add the identification requirements to the Ohio Constitution. A “no” vote would reject the constitutional amendment, leaving Ohio’s existing voter identification law in place.