Schiff Voices Opposition to Voter ID Requirements

Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, has expressed strong concerns regarding the notion of implementing photo ID requirements for voting. This comes in light of polls indicating that a majority of Americans support such measures, a stance Schiff believes could disenfranchise numerous voters.

During an exchange with ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Schiff was asked whether there could be a bipartisan agreement on supporting voter ID laws as Republicans move forward with the Protect American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE). Some Democrats have criticized the proposal, likening it to “Jim Crow 2.0.”

In his response, Schiff stated, “The Republicans have contributed to a climate of distrust surrounding elections by falsely claiming there was widespread fraud. Now they’re using that created distrust to push for the SAVE Act, which essentially acts as a voter suppression law by imposing requirements like birth certificates. Many Americans don’t possess passports or may not even know where to find their birth certificates.”

Karl pressed him for specifics about Schiff’s stance, citing a Pew poll which revealed that 83% of adults, along with 71% of Democrats, favor requiring photo identification to vote. He queried whether Schiff could support such measures or, if not, why not.

Schiff maintained that imposing such requirements would still disenfranchise citizens who lack the necessary forms of ID. “This merely serves to suppress voting among those who are eligible, but don’t possess a Real ID or driver’s license,” he pointed out.

According to another Pew Research poll, 95% of Republicans are in favor of voter ID requirements. Schiff criticized the broader implications of such measures, warning they would deter participation in elections while also attacking avenues like absentee voting and mail-in registration.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer commented on the SAVE Act, labeling it as “Jim Crow 2.0,” highlighting potential discrimination against individuals who may not have updated their identification, like newly married women who changed their last names.

He further emphasized that the bill is unlikely to progress in the Senate, stating that it wouldn’t secure a single Democratic vote and condemning its attempts to revive discriminatory practices of the past.