ELECTIONS BALLOT MEASURES ELECTION CONTACTS VOTER REGISTRATION

Ohio Require Voter Identification Amendment

Ohio Ballot Measure - Senate Joint Resolution 10

Election: Nov. 3, 2026 (General)

Outcome: Pending

Categories:

Elections

Arguments For

Arguments Against

Summary

This measure would amend the state constitution to require voters presenting photo identification (ID) to vote in person, as well as requiring absentee voters to provide a photo ID, or a signature plus one other unique identifier authorized by law. It would also allow for the legislature to establish an alternative identity-verification process for voters with a sincere religious objection to being photographed.[1]

Currently, Ohio law requires voters to present photo ID while voting, with accepted forms of ID including a valid Ohio driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, and U.S. military ID. Ohio law also requires absentee voters to provide a copy of their photo ID, an Ohio driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Ohio law also allows for voters with a religious objection to complete an affidavit.

A "yes" vote supports amending the Ohio Constitution to require a photo ID to vote.

A "no" vote opposes amending the Ohio Constitution to require a photo ID to vote.

Measure Text

Section 5. (A) Electors shall provide photo identification in order to vote in person at a polling place or other voting location designated by law, in accordance with laws passed by the general assembly, except that the laws may provide an alternative method of verifying the identity of an elector who does not have photo identification because the elector has a sincere religious objection to being photographed.

(B) At a minimum, and in accordance with laws passed by the general assembly, electors shall provide photo identification or, if authorized by law, a signature and at least one other unique identifier in order to vote by any other method authorized by law.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) “Photo identification” means one of the following documents that is issued by an agency of this state or the United States, includes the elector’s name and photograph, and is not expired:

(a) A driver’s license or state identification card issued by the Ohio bureau of motor vehicles or its successor agency or a temporary document issued by that agency to an applicant for a driver’s license or state identification card that contains all of the information otherwise found on the license or card and that the applicant may use as a form of identification while waiting to receive the license or card;

(b) A United States passport or passport card;

(c) A United States military identification card, an Ohio national guard identification card, or an identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs or its successor agency.

(2) “Other unique identifier” means one of the following that is authorized by the general assembly by law for voting purposes:

(a) A unique numeric or alphanumeric descriptor assigned to the elector by an agency of this state or the United States;

(b) A truncated version of a descriptor described in division (C)(2)(a) of this section.

Resources

Official Summary

Source
arrow_upward