Six in 10 Ohio voters support amending the state constitution to require photo ID for voting, according to a new Suffolk University/USA TODAY Ohio Network poll.
Issue 3 is a proposed state constitutional amendment to require voters to present photo ID when casting ballots in person. Proponents argue that requiring photo ID protects against imposters casting ballots. Opponents argue that the requirement is already in state law and voter impersonation is virtually nonexistent.
Like current law, the amendment would require voters to present an unexpired driver's license, state ID, passport or military ID to cast ballots in-person. It allows the Legislature to decide whether to preserve or change the current rules for mail-in voting. Right now, Ohioans
who vote absentee can provide a driver’s license or Social Security number in lieu of photo ID.
Judy Corbett, 78, a retired public school teacher in Circleville, said she doesn't think it necessary to change the state constitution, given that voter ID is already in state law. Not concerned about voter fraud, Corbett said she has voted by mail the past few years. "I don't want that taken away from me and I want my vote to count."
Sara Davis, 46, a parochial school teacher who lives in Liberty Center, said "Not everyone has the means to get a state ID." Getting the documents and the time to go to a bureau of motor vehicles office can be onerous for some voters, she said.
But Trent Fagrell, 34, an automotive engineer who lives in Delaware, said important laws that protect the integrity of voting should be enshrined in the constitution. That way it's less likely to be changed by the next set of elected officials, he said.
Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers fast-tracked Issue 3 to make sure it qualified for the November ballot.
The Suffolk poll results align with other surveys that have found broad support for voter ID rules. The poll surveyed 500 likely Ohio voters on cell phones and landlines between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 60% support Issue 3 voter photo ID amendment, Ohio poll finds
