2026 Ohio Issue 3

2026 Ohio Issue 3
Require Voter Identification Amendment

Ohio Issue 3 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot in the U.S. state of Ohio. If approved, the state's constitution will be amended to require a photo ID to vote.

Background

Under current Ohio law, photo ID (such as a United States passport or a current Ohio driver's license) must be presented when voting. State law also requires absentee voters to provide a copy of their photo ID, driver's license or identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed can complete an affidavit in order to vote.

Issue 3 would enshrine the current laws by amending the Ohio constitution to require photo ID for in-person voting and either photo ID or "a signature plus one other unique identifier authorized by law" for absentee voting. The constitution would also be amended to allow for the state legislature to create a separate process for ID verification among voters with a religious objection to being photographed.

Endorsements

Yes
Executive branch officials
Statewide officials
State legislators
Party officials
Individuals
Political parties
Newspapers
No
State legislators
Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)

administered

 Sample

size

 Margin of error Phrasing Yes No Undecided
Suffolk University September 23–27, 2026 500 (LV) ± 4.4% – 61% 31% 8%
Honest Elections Project Action May 27 – June 2, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.46% – 70% 30%

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by USA Today
  2. ↑ Poll conducted by the political action committee of the Honest Elections Project, which supports stronger voter ID laws.

References

  1. ↑ Tobias, Andrew (August 4, 2026). "Ballot language set for Issue 3, the Ohio voter ID amendment". Signal Cleveland. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Ohio Issue 3, Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Issue 3 is on the November ballot in Ohio: What is it?". WDTN. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Trau, Morgan (July 29, 2026). "What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  5. ↑ Balmert, Jessie. "Dr. Amy Acton says she would support photo ID amendment, Issue 3". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ Tobias, Andrew (August 7, 2026). "Amy Acton backs Issue 3, the voter ID amendment, breaking with Ohio Democrats". Signal Ohio. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Issue 3 may be odd, but it merits support". The Vindicator. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ Beasley, David (August 11, 2026). "Enshrining voter ID on amendment on Ohio's November ballot". The Center Square. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tobias, Andrew (September 1, 2026). "What is Issue 3? Ohio's voter ID amendment, explained". Signal Ohio. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ Trau, Morgan (July 27, 2026). "What is Issue 3 on the Ohio ballot?". News 5 Cleveland WEWS. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Important 2026 Election Resources and Information". ACLU of Ohio. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ "2026 Endorsements". Ohio Citizen Action. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ "2026 Ohio Voting Guide". Red Wine and Blue. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Ohio Poll: In Ohio, Weak Economy and President Trump Appear to Drag Down the GOP's Candidates" (PDF). Suffolk University. October 2, 2026. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Poll Shows Ohio Voters Support Voter ID Amendment". Daily Signal. June 5, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.