The Lead Off Ohio lawmakers introduce resolutions to add voter photo ID requirement to state constitution Proposal would require valid photo identification for in-person voting and provisional ballot verification Supporters cite election integrity, while critics say current law already requires ID Constitutional amendment proposed for voter ID requirement COLUMBUS, OH. (WOWO) — Ohio Republican lawmakers have introduced joint resolutions seeking to place a voter photo identification requirement into the state constitution. House Joint Resolution 9 and Senate Joint Resolution 10 were introduced this week by Republican lawmakers in both chambers. If approved by a three-fifths majority, the proposal would be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide. “This is about fair and free elections,” said state Sen. Jane Timken, R-Jackson Township. “Voters need to know that when someone goes to vote, that it is the actual person who is registered to vote, and we do that by photo ID.” Lawmaker support and stated intent Supporters of the measure say it is aimed at strengthening election security and public confidence in the voting system. State Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, compared the requirement to other common identification needs. “If you want to rent a car, you want to go to a hotel, get on an airplane, you need to show photo ID,” Roegner said. “It makes all the sense in the world that when we’re talking about something as serious and as important as the integrity of our elections, that it would also require a photo ID.” Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, said the effort responds to broader concerns about voter confidence and election integrity. How the proposal would work Under the proposed constitutional amendment: Voters would be required to present a valid photo ID when voting in person Acceptable forms include driver’s licenses, state IDs, passports, and certain military or veteran IDs Voters without ID could cast a provisional ballot and later verify identity at a board of elections for it to be counted Lawmakers say Ohio already has a voter ID law in place, enacted in 2022 and implemented in 2023, but the amendment would elevate the requirement into the state constitution. Debate over necessity and impact Democratic lawmakers and critics argue the proposal is unnecessary given existing law. State Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon, said Ohio already has “some of the most restrictive election laws,” adding that the legislation is not needed. State Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, also questioned the measure’s intent. “Election fraud is so very rare,” Antonio said. Some critics also raised concerns that the amendment could open the door to future restrictions on voting access, including early voting or absentee voting, though Republican leaders have said there are no plans to eliminate those options. Legislative path forward Ohio Senate leadership has indicated it hopes to move the resolution forward in mid-June. If it clears both chambers with the required three-fifths vote, the proposal would go before Ohio voters in November for final approval or rejection. The Takeaway Ohio Republican lawmakers are proposing a constitutional amendment that would require photo identification to vote, placing existing law into the state constitution. Supporters say the measure strengthens election integrity and voter confidence, while opponents argue current laws already require ID and question the need for further restrictions. The proposal must pass both legislative chambers with a supermajority before Ohio voters would decide its fate in a statewide election. The post Ohio Republicans push constitutional amendment requiring photo ID to vote appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less