Ohio Republicans want to put voter ID rules in the state constitution, an idea being pushed by gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
House and Senate lawmakers introduced a constitutional amendment on May 18 that would require Ohioans to show a photo ID to vote at the polls. The announcement came hours after the Cincinnati Enquirer published a column from Ramaswamy calling on the Legislature to act.
“Too often, this issue has been politicized in other contests, but Ohio has an opportunity to show America how it’s done − through decisive constitutional action adopted directly by voters, adopted in a unifying manner rather than through division,” Ramaswamy wrote.
Ramaswamy is running for governor against Dr. Amy Acton, who served as Gov. Mike DeWine’s health director during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acton’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ramaswamy’s proposal.
Ohio has one of the strictest voter ID laws in the country. Voters must present an unexpired driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID to cast ballots in-person. Before 2023, the state allowed voters to use utility bills or bank statements instead.
A photo ID isn’t necessary to vote by mail, although some Republicans want to change that.
Ramaswamy argued state laws are too susceptible to change or court challenges. And voter ID rules are generally popular: A 2025 Pew Research Center poll found 83% of Americans support requiring a government-issued ID to vote, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats.
Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond said the proposal − which mirrors current law − was in motion before Ramaswamy’s column went public.
“You get concerned that Ohio law can change a lot easier than the constitution can change,” Bird said. “We want to make sure what we’re doing is going to be there to protect Ohioans’ votes in the future.
But critics say these policies can create more barriers at the ballot box. The issue has bubbled up in Washington as Congress debates the SAVE America Act, which would mandate photo ID nationwide and require people to prove citizenship when they register to vote.
Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, who is running for secretary of state in November, called the amendment a political stunt.
“Ohio’s voter ID laws are not under any threat, but the ability of Ohioans to hold their elected representatives accountable for inaction on real issues like affordability and rising costs is under assault,” Russo said.
If enacted, Ohio wouldn’t be the first state to put voter ID requirements in its constitution. Wisconsin voters approved a referendum in 2025 after Republicans placed the issue on the ballot, hoping to circumvent liberals on the state Supreme Court, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Amendments proposed by the Legislature must clear the House and Senate with a three-fifths vote. Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers, meaning they could pass it without Democratic support.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Vivek Ramaswamy, lawmakers want voter ID rules in Ohio Constitution
Reporting by Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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