Sen. Adam Schiff (CA-D) was pressed Sunday on overwhelming public support for requiring a photo ID to vote and dismissed it as discriminatory and a form of voter suppression, even as polls show broad bipartisan backing for the policy. Schiff argued the requirement would disenfranchise citizens lacking certain documentation, putting him at odds with the views of many Americans.
During an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Schiff was asked whether he would support a national photo ID requirement — a cornerstone of the Republican-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act aimed at ensuring only U.S. citizens cast ballots. Karl cited a Pew Research poll showing 83% of U.S. adults favor some form of photo ID requirement to vote, including a majority of Democrats.
Instead of acknowledging the broad support, Schiff framed the issue as disenfranchisement. He claimed that requiring a driver’s license or Real ID would leave out citizens who may lack those documents despite being eligible to vote. Schiff argued stricter ID requirements could suppress turnout while Republicans are also pushing changes to absentee and same-day registration.
Schiff’s comments reflect the broader Democratic opposition to the SAVE Act in the Senate, where top leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer have labeled voter ID bills “Jim Crow 2.0.” Schumer and other Democrats argue that such laws disproportionately affect the elderly, low-income voters, and those who have changed names — even though polls show significant support across demographic and partisan lines.
Republican advocates for voter ID laws argue that requiring government-issued photo identification is a commonsense safeguard to bolster election integrity and public confidence. They note that similar requirements already exist in many states and that bipartisan polling consistently shows that a strong majority of Americans — including independents — support showing a photo ID at the ballot box.
Critics of Schiff’s stance say his opposition runs counter to public sentiment and that voter ID laws simply help ensure every vote cast is legitimate. They contend that Democrats’ focus on disenfranchisement rhetoric could undermine efforts to address vulnerabilities in the election system.
The debate over federally mandated photo ID requirements comes as Congress considers attaching voter ID provisions to spending legislation and other reform measures. Republican lawmakers have pushed the SAVE Act through the House, but Senate Democrats have used procedural tactics to block its progress, citing concerns over accessibility and equity.
Schiff’s comments Sunday underscore the deep partisan divide on election policy and highlight how even widely supported reforms like voter ID remain contentious in Washington.
