Sen. Adam Schiff Discusses Concerns Over Voter ID Laws

Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, faced questioning about a recent survey that revealed broad support among Americans for requiring photo identification to vote. Schiff, however, expressed concerns that such measures would lead to voter disenfranchisement. The discussion arose during an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl, who questioned the potential for bipartisan agreement on this issue, given the Republican-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

Karl inquired whether Democrats and Republicans could find common ground regarding the need for photo ID when voting. However, Schiff highlighted that endorsing such measures would align with Republican efforts to create distrust in election systems by propagating unfounded claims of voter fraud. According to Schiff, the SAVE Act would pose hurdles, as many Americans lack documents like birth certificates or passports, making it difficult for them to meet the ID requirements imposed by the act.

Jonathan, what you’ve just asked is essentially: Republicans have created distrust in the elections by making claims of nonexistent fraud in the elections, and shouldn’t we use the distrust they’ve created in order to enact a voter suppression law, which is the SAVE Act, which would require people to have a birth certificate or passport — documents that millions of Americans don’t have. Almost half the country doesn’t have a passport, and I don’t know where many millions of people would even find a birth certificate,

Schiff explained during the discussion. In response to further questioning by Karl, who presented data from a Pew Research poll suggesting widespread support for photo ID requirements, Schiff maintained that such measures would still disenfranchise voters lacking proper identification, including Real IDs or driver’s licenses.

The Pew Research survey conducted in August 2025 showed overwhelming support from Republicans, with 95% in favor of photo ID requirements. Although 71% of Democrats reportedly supported this measure, Schiff argued it could still lead to reduced voter participation. He emphasized the broader implications, suggesting that these efforts were part of a larger attempt to suppress voter turnout by limiting methods like absentee voting and DMV registrations.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has been vocal in his opposition to the SAVE Act, likening it to “Jim Crow 2.0” and asserting it would result in widespread discrimination. He pointed out potential challenges for voters, such as women who have changed their names due to marriage and might face verification issues. Schumer firmly stated that the act would not receive Democratic support in the Senate.

For instance, if you change — you’re a woman who got married and changed your last name, you won’t be able to show ID, and you’ll be discriminated against. If you can’t find a birth certificate, or a proper ID, you’ll be discriminated against. This is vicious and nasty. And I said to our Republican colleagues, it will not pass the Senate. You will not get a single Democratic vote in the Senate. We’re not reviving Jim Crow all over the country. And when the American people hear what exactly it is doing, and what its intent is doing, they’re going to be against it as well,

Schumer stated during an appearance on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”

In summary, while there appears to be significant public backing for photo ID mandates in elections, influential Democrats like Schiff and Schumer argue they would unjustly limit access to voting, emphasizing the need to focus on bolstering voter participation rather than imposing restrictive measures.