Ohio Voters Enshrine Voter ID in Constitution Amid Democratic Gubernatorial Win
Ohio voters approve voter ID constitutional amendment as Democrat Amy Acton wins governor’s race.
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Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that requires voters to show an unexpired government-issued ID at the polls, enshrining the requirement into state law. The measure, known as Issue 3, passed with about two-thirds of the vote, reflecting broad support across demographics. While Ohio already had a law requiring photo ID for voting, this amendment ensures the requirement is constitutionally protected.
Democratic Flip and Opposition
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who had opposed the measure, flipped the Ohio Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance, defeating Republican Jon Husted. Brown had consistently criticized the ballot measure, arguing it undermines trust in the election system and creates unnecessary barriers for voters.
“For years, Ohio has had safe and secure elections that have been administered in a bipartisan fashion. It’s wrong that people are trying to sow distrust in our election systems,” Brown said in March. “Our leaders should be trying to make it easier to vote, not creating unnecessary barriers that threaten the ability of hardworking Ohioans to vote early, mail in their ballots, or vote on Election Day.”
Acton Supports Voter ID Despite Party Divide
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton, who won the race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, supported the voter ID amendment, despite being out of step with most of her party. Acton, who previously endorsed the measure, said she would support it as governor, while also vowing to ensure voters can access required identification easily and at no cost.
“This amendment has overwhelming support from Ohioans across the state. As this doesn’t change what is already law, as governor, I will support it,” Acton said in August. “At the same time, as both a candidate and governor, I will fight to ensure that all eligible Ohio voters, regardless of party, can access the required identification easily and at no cost, so they can exercise their fundamental right and have their voices heard.”
Support Across Demographics
A recent Gallup poll found strong support for voter ID requirements across all demographic groups, with 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats in favor of requiring photo ID for voting. This reflects a growing consensus that voter ID laws are both secure and necessary for maintaining election integrity.
Source: Daily Caller
