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Ohio Enshrines Voter ID Into State Constitution — And Elects A Democrat Who Opposes It
Ohio voters approved Issue 3, a constitutional amendment requiring an unexpired government-issued ID to vote, with about two thirds backing it. The result matters because it places an existing photo ID requirement in the state constitution, while Ohio also elected Sherrod Brown, who opposed the amendment, to the US Senate.
Democrat Amy Acton won the governor’s race and supported the measure, saying she would work to make required identification accessible and free for eligible voters. Democrats in the state legislature had opposed placing Issue 3 on the ballot. An October 2024 Gallup poll found support for photo ID requirements among 98 per cent of Republicans, 84 per cent of independents and 67 per cent of Democrats.
In short
- Ohio voters put voter ID rules in the state constitution.
- Sherrod Brown won a Senate seat despite opposing the amendment.
- Governor-elect Amy Acton backed the measure and promised free access to ID.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that requiring an unexpired government-issued ID is a straightforward safeguard that can strengthen confidence in elections and reassure voters that ballots are cast by eligible people. The broad support reported across party lines suggests many see this as a reasonable standard, especially if IDs are made free and accessible to eligible voters.
The case against
Opponents argue that constitutionalising the requirement risks making voting harder for eligible people who lack suitable identification or face obstacles obtaining it, even if the rule is intended to protect election integrity. They may also question whether the added barrier is justified without evidence in the story that the existing safeguards are inadequate, and prefer practical access measures over a constitutional mandate.