Democrats block amendment that would require photo voter ID for federal elections
Caroline MolloyIn a party-line vote, an amendment to require photo identification (ID) for voting in federal elections failed to clear a key procedural hurdle in the Senate March 26, falling short of the 60 votes needed to proceed.
The amendment, offered by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, to the broader Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, failed in a 53-47 cloture vote. It would have required voters to present a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID when casting ballots in person, and to provide a copy of such ID when voting by mail. Those unable to provide ID could submit the last four digits of their Social Security number along with an affidavit.
No Democrats supported the amendment, even though Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said Democrats support photo ID requirements. Schumer told reporters in a March 15 press call that Democrats included a voter ID provision in their Freedom to Vote Act, which they introduced in 2021 when they controlled the Senate.
