Voter ID on the Ballot: Ohio Issue 3 and the Other 2026 ID Measures

Voter identification is on the ballot in an unusual number of states this year. Ballotpedia counted seven statewide voter ID measures certified for 2026, the most in a single year. One, Oklahoma’s State Question 846, was decided on August 25, when it passed with 54.61% of the vote. The other six are on the November 3 ballot: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio.

They are not identical. Some would write photo ID for in-person voting into a state constitution. Others focus on mail ballots, asking voters to supply an ID number along with their signature. This guide lays them out side by side, starting with Ohio’s Issue 3. It explains what each proposal does; it does not tell you how to vote.

The 2026 voter ID measures at a glance

Ohio Issue 3: the details

The official ballot title, certified by Secretary of State Frank LaRose on August 3, 2026, is “Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Require Voters to Present Photo Identification in Order to Vote.” The General Assembly placed it on the ballot by passing Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 10 with a three-fifths vote in each chamber. Ballotpedia reports the Senate vote was 22–9 on June 3 and the House vote 62–30 on June 10.

According to the secretary of state’s Issue 3 report:

• In-person voters would show an approved, government-issued photo ID, such as an unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or certain military, Ohio National Guard or VA identification.
• Voters who do not vote in person would provide an approved photo ID, or, if the General Assembly authorizes it, a signature plus at least one other unique identifier.
• Voters with a sincere religious objection to being photographed would not need photo ID; state law could provide another way to verify identity.
• It needs a simple majority and would take effect immediately if approved.

Ohio voters are already casting ballots: early voting runs October 6 through November 1. Ohio also now requires mail ballots to arrive by the close of polls on Election Day, so mail voters should return them early.

The other five measures

Arizona: Proposition 144

A constitutional amendment referred by the Legislature. It would specify that only citizens may vote in any Arizona election and require voters to show a government-issued ID to cast a ballot, along with other election-law changes. A no vote keeps Arizona’s current ID and eligibility rules.

California: Proposition 39

A citizen initiative that would require government ID for in-person voting and have mail voters provide the last four digits of an ID they designate at registration. It also includes provisions on citizenship verification and how the voter list is maintained.

Colorado: Amendment 84

Colorado votes almost entirely by mail and currently verifies ballots by signature matching. Amendment 84 would add identifying information, such as the last four digits of a Social Security number or a driver’s license or REAL ID number, to the mail-ballot return. Because it amends the constitution, it needs at least 55% statewide approval.

Nevada: Question 7

Nevada requires constitutional amendments proposed by initiative to pass at two consecutive general elections. Voters approved Question 7 in 2024 with 73.2%, so this is the second and final vote. It would require photo ID in person and the last four digits of a driver’s license or Social Security number by mail. Current law relies largely on signature matching.

North Carolina: voter photo ID amendment

North Carolina voters added a voter ID provision to their constitution in 2018. This legislatively referred amendment, enacted as Session Law 2024-58, revises that language to require photo ID from all voters, including those voting by mail. It would take effect when the referendum results are certified.

Arguments you will hear

Supporters of these measures generally argue that ID requirements strengthen confidence in elections and are a reasonable check that most voters can meet. Opponents generally argue that existing safeguards, such as signature verification, already work, and that new requirements can burden eligible voters who lack a qualifying ID or make mistakes on mail envelopes. Both arguments appear in the official materials and news coverage cited below. How the measures would be implemented, including what happens to a mail ballot with a missing number, would depend on follow-up legislation and rules in several states.

For context on this year’s other statewide questions, see our 2026 ballot measures overview and our explainer on the Kansas Supreme Court amendment voters decided in August. If you vote by mail in any of these states, our early and mail voting guide covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions