Former Vice President Mike Pence believes it is time to implement a national voter ID law. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Pence called for the Senate to “make voter ID the law of the land in all 50 states.” This statement comes as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, which seeks to enforce strict voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements nationwide.
The SAVE Act passed the GOP-controlled House in February but has encountered hurdles in the Senate, where achieving the necessary 60-vote threshold poses challenges, despite a Republican majority. Pence insists on the importance of this legislation, highlighting the need for election integrity. “I think requiring our voters to show photo ID at the ballot box or prove American citizenship is simply an idea whose time has come,” he stated emphatically.
Pence also pointed out Indiana’s pioneering role in implementing voter ID laws. He noted, “I’m proud of the fact that the state of Indiana, 15 years ago, was one of the first states to adopt voter ID laws.” This legislation went all the way up to the Supreme Court, where it was upheld and set a precedent for many other states.
Surveys indicate broad support among Americans, regardless of political affiliation, for measures like voter IDs and preventing noncitizen voting. In contrast, Democrats argue that the SAVE Act is unnecessary, claiming that citizenship is already a voting requirement and instances of noncitizen voting are infrequent.
Critics, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, have characterized the bill as regressive. Schumer labeled it as “Jim Crow 2.0,” asserting that it could create hurdles that make it harder for some to participate in elections. Despite this opposition, Pence stands firm on the constitutional grounds for the legislation. He explained, “The time, place and manner of elections under the Constitution is governed by the states… but the federal government has, under our Constitution, the ability to set certain conditions and parameters.”
With his organization, Advancing American Freedom, Pence has been a vocal advocate for the SAVE Act since its inception. In the interview, he expressed a desire for lawmakers to “set politics aside” and prioritize restoring public trust in election integrity.
While some may view Pence’s past actions as controversial—like certifying President Biden’s electoral win despite pushback from Trump supporters—he asserts the importance of confidence in the election process. He recalled the challenges faced during the 2020 election cycle: “We saw states that literally changed the rules in the midst of COVID for how votes would be counted.” He emphasized that public confidence is crucial and remains a primary reason his team supports ongoing election reform efforts.
Pence concluded with a strong belief that ensuring Americans’ trust in their elections is paramount: “I truly do believe that making sure the American people have confidence that those that are voting are citizens of this country… is truly an idea whose time has come.”
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