California’s Voter ID Laws and the SAVE Act Discussion

During a recent segment on Sirius, U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley shed light on California’s voter ID regulations. He mentioned, “California doesn’t have voter ID,” explaining that there’s no requirement to show ID when registering or voting.

This caught the attention of Smith, who expressed surprise, saying, “What!? That’s why the SAVE Act was proposed in California.” The House has already passed the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to necessitate proof of citizenship for federal elections, and it’s now moving towards Senate consideration.

Kiley elaborated that California’s framework doesn’t permit local jurisdictions to establish their own voter ID requirements, a situation he described as “prohibited.” He pointed out a state law that expressly bans voter ID, which was news to Smith.

In another discussion, Kiley contrasted this approach with practices in other democracies. “There are probably only two or three democracies that don’t have citizenship verification laws,” he noted, arguing that voter ID is a standard procedure in well-functioning democracies.

Interestingly, Smith admitted he thought all states required some form of identification, reflecting on how much he had underestimated the situation.

Republicans, Kiley noted, might leverage California’s policies as a key argument for nationwide election reforms. There’s an ongoing conversation about the relationship between these laws and broader economic issues in California, such as the high cost of living and gas prices. “It’s currently $5.56 a gallon in California… almost $2 more than the national average,” Kiley pointed out, linking such costs to state policies rather than external factors.

He continued to express concerns about California’s economic landscape, pointing out issues with housing, energy, and taxes. Kiley stated, “We have the highest home prices, the highest electricity prices, and the highest taxes,” suggesting these factors contribute to a significant poverty rate when considering the cost of living.

Since the implementation of a new congressional map in late 2024, Kiley has transitioned to being an independent, after it shifted many districts, including his base near Sacramento.