Ohio voters will soon decide whether they support requiring a photo ID at the polls.
If that idea sounds familiar, it's because it's already state law.
Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature voted in June to place the proposed constitutional amendment
, known as Issue 3, on the Nov. 3 ballot. It's the only statewide issue before Ohioans in the upcoming election, along with key races for governor and U.S. Senate.Here's what you need to know about Issue 3.
What is Ohio Issue 3?
Simply put, Issue 3 would enshrine the state's voter ID policy in the Ohio Constitution.
Ohio requires voters who cast in-person ballots to present a photo ID, with exceptions for people who have a religious objection to being photographed. It can be an unexpired Ohio driver's license or state ID, U.S.
passport, U.S. military ID, Ohio National Guard ID or an ID issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
University IDs and out-of-state driver's licenses aren't accepted.
The ballot measure reinforces all of those rules. It also allows lawmakers to decide whether to require photo ID for mail-in voting. Right now, absentee voters can provide their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number in lieu of a photo ID.
What does the ballot language say?
You can read the ballot language, explanation of the issue and arguments for and against it on the Ohio secretary of state's website.
What does this mean for Ohio voters?
Not much. Since the photo ID requirement is current law, Issue 3 won't change the voter experience − regardless of whether it passes or fails.
Why is this on the November ballot?
GOP lawmakers quickly passed the ballot measure at the urging of their gubernatorial candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy. Proponents say it will strengthen Ohio's election system and make it harder to roll back voter ID rules down the road.
The Nov. 3 vote comes as President Donald Trump, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted and other Republicans push to require photo ID nationwide.
"Should we know in this country who's coming to the polls to vote?" Husted told reporters at an Issue 3 rally in August. "I think we should. I think we should verify that to make sure that we know that fraud isn't happening in our system."
Democrats contend Issue 3 is unnecessary and accuse Republicans of using it to distract from other issues, such as the cost of living and high gas prices. State Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, a candidate for secretary of state, said Issue 3 could make it more difficult for Ohio to adapt voting laws as new forms of identification become available.
"This is purely political," Russo said. "It is a bad way to make election law."
Who backs Issue 3? Who opposes it?
Ohio Republicans appear united around Issue 3, which got a shoutout from Trump during his Oct. 3 rally near Dayton.
"This is your chance to stop Dumbocrat cheaters, fraudsters and defend Ohio elections for your children and for your grandchildren," he told supporters.
Democrats largely oppose the measure, although gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton said she'll support it. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who's running against Husted, said Ohio already has secure elections "with no sign of fraud and corruption."
A recent Suffolk University/USA TODAY Ohio Network poll found 61% of likely voters support the amendment.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What is Issue 3? What to know about voter ID issue on Ohio ballot
