COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Ohio voters could decide this November whether to add a photo identification requirement for voting to the state constitution after the Ohio House approved placing the issue on the ballot Wednesday.
The proposed constitutional amendment would codify an existing state law requiring voters to present a valid photo ID when casting a ballot in person. Acceptable forms of identification currently include an Ohio driver's license, state-issued identification card, passport or military ID.
The voter ID requirement became law in 2022. Democrats have argued that a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because the requirement is already established in state law.
Supporters of the proposal contend that placing the requirement in the Ohio Constitution would make it more difficult to repeal or alter in the future.
In addition to approving the proposed amendment, Republican lawmakers also advanced legislation that would add new identification requirements for absentee voting by mail.
Under current law, registered voters can request a mail-in ballot by providing identifying information such as a driver's license number or Social Security number. The proposed legislation would require voters to submit a copy of a valid photo ID when requesting or casting a mail-in ballot.
If approved and signed into law, the mail-in ballot identification requirement would take effect in 2027.
