Despite opposition from Democratic lawmakers, gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton said she will support an Ohio ballot measure to enshrine voter ID rules in the state constitution.
Issue 3 on the November ballotwould require photo ID to vote at the polls – which is already state law.
“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,” Acton said on Aug. 7. “At the same time, as both a candidate and governor, I will fight to ensure that all eligible Ohio voters, regardless of party, can access the required identification easily and at no cost, so they can exercise their fundamental right and have their voices heard."
The constitutional amendment was
pushed by Acton's opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, and his fellow Republicans. They argued that state law alone was not enough to protect the right.
"It’s a necessary step," Ramaswamy wrote in a Cincinnati Enquirer op-ed. "State-level laws do not provide enough protection. Just ask Hawaiians, who saw their voter ID laws legislatively repealed in 2019. Or Virginians, which followed suit in 2021."
Polls show most Republicans and Democrats support photo ID for voting.About 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats favor requiring all voters to show government-issued ID to vote, according to the Pew Research Center.
The measure was added to the ballot by state lawmakers. During legislative debates, Democrats questioned why Republicans were prioritizing this issue over more pressing ones.
"Why is the General Assembly making this existing law a constitutional amendment and making it a priority over things that actually would make life a little bit more affordable for Ohioans?" questioned Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, who is running for secretary of state.
GOP lawmakers also passed new photo ID requirements for voting by mail, but GOP Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the changes.
Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed reporting.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Dr. Amy Acton says she would support photo ID amendment, Issue 3
