Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) argued Sunday that requiring voter identification is part of a broader effort that could discourage eligible citizens from participating in elections, raising concerns during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
Host Jon Karl asked Schiff whether there could be a bipartisan compromise around requiring photo identification at the polls. The question referenced growing public support for voter ID requirements, including polling that has shown large majorities of Americans favor such measures.
Schiff responded that, in his view, Republican arguments about widespread election fraud have fueled distrust in the voting system and are now being used to justify policies he believes could restrict access to the ballot. He pointed specifically to proposals such as the SAVE Act, which would require documentation such as a birth certificate or passport in certain voter registration contexts.
According to Schiff, such documentation requirements could create barriers for citizens who do not readily have those forms of identification. He noted that many Americans do not possess a passport and argued that policies mandating additional documentation could disproportionately impact eligible voters who lack easy access to those records.
Karl pressed Schiff on whether he could support voter ID requirements given polling data indicating that a significant percentage of both Republicans and Democrats favor photo identification to vote. Schiff maintained that even widely supported policies could still have unintended consequences.
He argued that individuals without a qualifying ID — including those who may not have a Real ID or driver’s license — could be prevented from voting despite being legally eligible. Schiff described voter ID mandates as part of what he characterized as a broader set of proposals that could reduce participation, including efforts to limit absentee voting or changes to registration procedures.
Schiff concluded that expanding participation should remain the priority, stating that election policies should encourage eligible citizens to vote rather than risk discouraging turnout. He said he does not believe stricter identification requirements represent the right direction for election policy.
