Ballot question
Issue 3: Photo identification to vote (constitutional amendment)
- On the ballot in
- Ohio
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Proposed Constitutional Amendment TO REQUIRE VOTERS TO PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION IN ORDER TO VOTE 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?
A “Yes” vote means
A yes vote adds a requirement to the Ohio Constitution that voters present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
A “No” vote means
A no vote rejects the amendment; the Ohio Constitution would not be changed.
Placed on the ballot by joint resolution of the General Assembly. The Secretary of State published an official argument in support (prepared by Reps. Adam Bird and Heidi Workman and Sens. Theresa Gavarone and Jane Timken) and an argument against (prepared by Sen. Bill DeMora and Reps. Desiree Tims and Terrence Upchurch). The Ohio Ballot Board published no separate plain-language explanation.
Sources
- Directive 2026-45: Form of the Official Ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election · Ohio Secretary of State
- Official Sample Ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election · Ohio Secretary of State
- Proposed Constitutional Amendment: To Require Voters to Present Photo Identification in Order to Vote (certified ballot language) · Ohio Ballot Board
- Argument in Support of Issue 3 · Ohio Secretary of State
- Argument Against Issue 3 · Ohio Secretary of State
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.