Key takeaways
- Issue 3 is a proposed constitutional amendment referred to voters by the General Assembly (Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 10). It needs a simple majority to pass.
- It would add Section 5 to Article V of the Ohio Constitution, requiring voters to present approved government-issued photo ID, and listing which IDs count.
- Ohio law already requires photo ID to vote in person. The amendment would place a requirement in the constitution, where changing it would take another statewide vote.
- The ballot language would also require photo ID for voters who do not vote in person unless state law lets them use a signature plus another identifier, which current law does for absentee voters.
Every Ohio voter, including every Hocking County voter, will see State Issue 3 on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. It was placed there by the legislature, not by petition. The Ohio Ballot Board approved its ballot wording on Aug. 3, 2026, and the Secretary of State has posted the full text, ballot language, explanation and official arguments. This guide sticks to what those official documents say. We do not take a position on Issue 3.
The ballot language, in full
Here is the wording voters will see, as published by the Ohio Secretary of State:
Proposed Constitutional Amendment — Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly
TO REQUIRE VOTERS TO PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION IN ORDER TO VOTE
To enact Section 5 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Ohio. A majority yes vote is required for the adoption of Section 5.
This proposed amendment would:
- Require voters to present an approved form of government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
- Allow state law to provide for an alternative method of verifying a voter's identity for a voter who has a sincere religious objection to being photographed and, therefore, does not possess an approved form of government-issued photo identification.
- Require that voters who do not vote in person provide an approved form of government-issued photo identification, unless the law authorizes those persons to vote by providing a signature and at least one other specified unique identifier.
- Define approved forms of government-issued photo identification as an unexpired Ohio driver license or state identification card; a United States passport or passport card; or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.
If approved, the amendment shall take effect immediately.
SHALL THE AMENDMENT BE APPROVED? YES / NO
What a YES vote and a NO vote mean
The ballot itself says a "YES" vote means approval of the amendment and a "NO" vote means disapproval. In practical terms:
| If YES wins | If NO wins | |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Constitution | Gains a new Article V, Section 5 with a photo ID requirement and a defined list of approved IDs | Stays as it is, with no photo ID provision |
| In-person voting today | Photo ID still required, as it already is under state law | Photo ID still required under existing state law |
| Changing the ID rules later | The constitutional requirement could only be changed by another statewide vote | The legislature could change the ID law by passing a new bill |
| Mail (absentee) voting | Photo ID required unless state law allows signature plus another identifier, which current law allows | Governed by state law, as now |
How this compares to current Ohio law
Ohio has required photo ID to vote in person since a 2023 law. The list of acceptable IDs in state law (R.C. 3501.01) closely matches the list in Issue 3: an Ohio driver's license, state ID card or BMV interim ID form; a U.S. passport or passport card; and a U.S. military, Ohio National Guard or VA ID card. For a full rundown of what to bring this year, browse our Hocking County voter guides.
Absentee voters today identify themselves with a driver's license or state ID number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or a copy of a photo ID. Issue 3 would not by itself change that, because its third bullet allows a signature plus another identifier "if the law authorizes" it. It would, however, give the legislature room to require photo ID for mail voters later. Reporting by WYSU and Signal Cleveland noted that lawmakers passed a mail-voting photo ID bill in 2026 that Gov. DeWine vetoed.
Whatever happens with Issue 3, the photo ID rule already applies on Nov. 3 for in-person voters. Issue 3 is about whether to also put the requirement in the constitution.
The official arguments
Ohio law requires official arguments for and against each statewide issue. They are published by the Secretary of State and posted at polling places. Here is a fair summary; read the full text for the exact wording.
Argument for (prepared by Reps. Adam Bird and Heidi Workman and Sens. Theresa Gavarone and Jane Timken)
Supporters argue a constitutional photo ID requirement would guard against voter impersonation and build confidence in elections, and would give the rule stability that does not depend on which party controls the legislature. They say it adds no new burden because photo ID is already required by state law and state ID cards are available at no fee.
Argument against (prepared by Sen. Bill DeMora and Reps. Desiree Tims and Terrence Upchurch)
Opponents argue the amendment addresses a problem that rarely occurs, locks current voter burdens into the constitution, leaves early and absentee voting open to future restrictions, and would rule out IDs not on its list, such as county veterans IDs and digital military IDs.
How Issue 3 got on the ballot
- June 2026: both chambers of the General Assembly approved the joint resolution (Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 10) by the three-fifths vote needed to send a constitutional amendment to voters.
- Aug. 3, 2026: the Ohio Ballot Board approved the ballot language. It also set who would write the official arguments.
- Aug. 18, 2026: the Secretary of State posted the materials for public review. The Ohio Constitution requires the ballot language and arguments to be published in newspapers in the weeks before the election.
- Nov. 3, 2026: voters decide. A simple majority of those voting on the issue decides the outcome.
Before you vote
Issue 3 appears on every ballot in Hocking County, alongside the candidate races and any local levies. You can preview it on your precinct's sample ballot, see the race overview on our homepage, browse our voter guides, and check the key dates for early, mail and Election Day voting.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ohio Issue 3 in 2026?
A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution, placed on the ballot by the General Assembly, that would require voters to present approved government-issued photo identification in order to vote and would define which IDs qualify.
Does Ohio already require photo ID to vote?
Yes. Under a 2023 state law, in-person voters must show an unexpired photo ID. Issue 3 would put a photo ID requirement in the state constitution.
What does a yes vote on Issue 3 mean?
According to the ballot, a YES vote means approval of the amendment, adding the photo ID requirement to the Ohio Constitution. A NO vote means disapproval, leaving the constitution unchanged while existing state law continues to apply.
Would Issue 3 change absentee voting?
Not by itself. Its language requires photo ID for voters who do not vote in person unless the law allows a signature and another unique identifier, which current Ohio law does. The legislature could change that later.
How many votes does Issue 3 need to pass?
A simple majority of voters voting on the issue. The ballot language states that a majority yes vote is required for adoption.
Where can I read the full text and arguments?
The Ohio Secretary of State publishes the full text, ballot language, explanation and official arguments for and against Issue 3 at ohiosos.gov.
Official sources
HockingElectionInfo.org is an independent, nonpartisan voter resource. We do not endorse candidates, parties or ballot issues. Rules and schedules can change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the Hocking County Board of Elections at (740) 380-8683. Spot an error? Tell us.