Ohio Senate Advances Voter ID Constitutional Amendment

The Ohio Senate voted 22-9 on June 4, 2026, to advance Senate Joint Resolution 10, which seeks to enshrine photo identification requirements for in-person and early voting into the state constitution. While photo ID has been required by state law since 2023, supporters argue that constitutionalizing the requirement prevents future legislatures from easily repealing the law. The measure now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives, where House Joint Resolution 9 requires a three-fifths majority (60 votes) to place the issue on the November statewide ballot.

The proposal faced significant opposition during a House General Government Committee hearing on May 27, where nearly 80 testimonies were against the measure. Opponents, including the ACLU of Ohio and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, argue the amendment is unnecessary and potentially acts as a poll tax by omitting guarantees for free IDs. Some senators, such as Kent Smith, dismissed concerns over voter fraud as insignificant.

Internal Republican division also emerged, with Senator Al Cutrona and Representative Ron Ferguson opposing the current draft because it does not require photo identification for absentee mail-in ballots. Despite these objections, Senate President Rob McColley predicted the amendment would pass overwhelmingly if it reaches the voters. If approved by the House, the amendment will require a simple majority of voters in November to become part of the state constitution.