COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Ohio voters could decide this November whether requiring government-issued identification for in-person voting should become part of the state constitution.
Republican leadership in both the Ohio House and Senate are considering placing a referendum on the November general election ballot that would make presenting a driver’s license, passport, state ID or military ID to receive a ballot a constitutional requirement.
Ohio’s General Assembly already passed a law in 2022 requiring voters to present a photo ID at the polls. Democrats have criticized the proposed amendment as unnecessary because the requirement is already state law.
Supporters of the proposal argue that placing the requirement in the Ohio Constitution would make it more difficult to repeal in the future.
Under the proposal, voters who do not have an ID with them or whose identification has expired would still be able to cast a provisional ballot.
Both chambers of the legislature must approve the proposal by a three-fifths majority before July 1 for the statewide issue to appear on the November ballot.
