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By Emma Marsden
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Voters in six states are deciding on measures related to voter identification on November 3, with proposals to introduce or expand ID requirements appearing on ballots across the country.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio are considering measures to establish or expand voter ID requirements. The proposals differ in scope, with some seeking to require photo identification at polling places, while others would introduce additional verification requirements for mail-in ballots.
The White House has made voter identification laws a prominent issue this election cycle, promoting federal measures such as requiring proof of citizenship to vote. However, its proposals have faced legal challenges as the U.S. Constitution gives states and Congress responsibility over administering elections, not the president.
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Here is what voters in each state are being asked to decide.
Arizona: Proposition 144
Arizona voters are considering Proposition 144, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to provide government-issued identification when voting in person or by mail. The measure also addresses citizenship requirements for voter registration, foreign contributions to elections and voters' ability to have ballots tabulated at their voting locations on Election Day.
California: Proposition 39
Proposition 39 would require voters to present government-issued identification when voting in person or provide the last four digits of a government-issued identification number when submitting a mail-in ballot. Currently, California does not usually require voters to show identification before casting a ballot.
Colorado: Amendment 84
Amendment 84 would introduce additional identification requirements for mail-in voting. Voters returning mail ballots would need to provide a signature and either a state identification number meeting federal REAL ID requirements or a Social Security number.
Nevada: Question 7
Nevada's Question 7 would require voters to present photo identification when voting in person. Those voting by mail would need to verify their identity using the last four digits of their driver's license or Social Security number, or an identification number provided by their county clerk.
North Carolina: Require Voter Identification Amendment
North Carolina voters are being asked to approve a constitutional amendment requiring photo identification for voting, including for those casting ballots in person or by mail. Previously, the requirement applied only to voters casting their ballots in person.
Ohio: Issue 3
Ohio's Issue 3 would amend the state constitution to require voters to present approved government-issued photo identification when voting in person. It would also establish identification requirements for voters casting ballots by mail, with an alternative verification method potentially available under state law.
Approved forms of identification would include an unexpired Ohio driver's license or state identification card, a U.S. passport or passport card, and certain military identification cards. The proposal also allows for an alternative verification method for people with a sincere religious objection to being photographed.
All six measures are part of a wider group of 2026 election policy proposals. In August, Oklahoma State Question 846 amended the state constitution to require voters to provide proof of identity, as defined by the state legislature, when voting in any election.
The six states voting on November 3 represent a notable year for voter ID ballot measures, with proposals seeking to establish or expand identification requirements rather than remove existing ones.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Shakeema Edwards.
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