West Chester and Liberty Township voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, with Ohio Issue 3 on every ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would place the state's existing voter photo-ID requirements into the Ohio Constitution.

It is the only statewide ballot measure this election. Butler County voters will also see local questions, including a $223 million Lakota Local Schools bond issue, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Election results are pending. This article will be updated as election officials release vote totals.

What Issue 3 would do

The Ohio General Assembly placed the amendment on the ballot through Senate Joint Resolution 10, a Republican-sponsored resolution that passed in June, according to Fox 8. A three-fifths supermajority approved it, according to the Secretary of State's certified materials.

Ohio already requires photo ID for in-person voting under a 2023 law (House Bill 458). Issue 3 would add Section 5 to Article V of the state Constitution, making the requirement harder to change. Altering a constitutional provision would require another statewide vote.

A yes vote approves the amendment, which would take effect immediately. A no vote rejects it and leaves the photo-ID requirement in state law, where the legislature could change it without voter approval.

What IDs qualify

The amendment lists these approved documents, which must include the voter's name and photo and be unexpired:

  • Ohio driver's license or state ID card
  • Qualifying temporary Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) document
  • U.S. passport or passport card
  • U.S. military ID
  • Ohio National Guard ID
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID

The Secretary of State's voter-ID guide lists the same forms accepted under current law. Voters who arrive without acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot and must provide ID to the county board of elections within four days, according to WTOL.

Absentee voting rules

Current law lets absentee voters use a driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number instead of a photo ID copy, according to Fox 8.

The amendment would require non-in-person voters to provide photo ID or, if the legislature authorizes it, a signature and at least one other unique identifier. That language allows lawmakers to keep the current alternative process but does not guarantee it, according to WTOL. The legislature could tighten absentee requirements without a new amendment.

Arguments for and against

Sen. Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), a sponsor, said in a June news release that AI makes constitutional protection essential, according to Fox 8. Both gubernatorial candidates, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, support Issue 3, Fox 8 reported.

The official argument in favor, prepared by Rep. Adam Bird, Rep. Heidi Workman, Sen. Theresa Gavarone and Timken, says the amendment would deter impersonation, improve confidence and prevent future legislatures from repealing the requirement.

The official argument against, prepared by Sen. Bill DeMora, Rep. Desiree Tims and Rep. Terrence Upchurch, says the amendment is unnecessary because photo ID is already law. Opponents argue constitutionalizing the list reduces flexibility as ID technology changes and lacks guarantees for absentee voting, early voting and free state IDs.

The ACLU of Ohio opposes Issue 3, calling it redundant.

Butler County voting details

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in line by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Nicole Unzicker, director of the Butler County Board of Elections, said in an October interview with WVXU that voters can trust the process. "We do feel we have a great security around our elections … that they're fair, safe and accurate because of these processes that are in place and have been in place for quite some time," Unzicker said.

Voters with questions can reach the Butler County Board of Elections at (513) 887-3700 or at elections.bcohio.gov. Check the Secretary of State's county results directory for Butler County returns after polls close. Election-night totals remain unofficial until certified.