Polls Show Broad Support for Voter ID as SAVE America Act Remains Blocked in Senate

New national polls indicate that a large majority of Americans support requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship to participate in federal elections, as the SAVE America Act continues to face a blockade in the Senate.

Explainer Election Integrity in America: Safeguarding Voter Trust and Ballot Security

The core dispute centers on whether the Senate will act on legislation that proponents say would safeguard election integrity, while opponents have so far refused to advance the bill.

The debate comes as concerns about noncitizen voting and election security remain prominent, with activists and lawmakers pressing for action before the next round of federal elections. The Tea Party Patriots Action (TPPA) released a poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates from July 15–21, 2026, surveying 1,000 likely general election voters nationwide. According to the TPPA, 82 percent of respondents agreed that only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in federal elections, and 78 percent said proof of citizenship should be required to register to vote. The poll also found that 78 percent of participants supported requiring a photo ID to cast a ballot, with majorities across party lines: 94 percent of Republicans, 68 percent of Democrats, and 73 percent of Independents supported the citizenship proof requirement, while 94 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of Democrats, and 75 percent of Independents backed photo ID at the polls. Full poll details are available from TPPA.

A separate Fox News poll corroborated these findings, reporting that support for requiring photo ID to vote has remained between 77 and 85 percent in Fox polling since 2011. The most recent Fox News data showed 72 percent of surveyed Democrats in favor of voter ID laws.

Senate Impasse and Political Tensions

Despite the polling, the SAVE America Act remains stalled in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has refused to lift the four-month blockade on the bill, leading to ongoing clashes with President Donald Trump, who has demanded passage. TPPA Chairman Jenny Beth Martin said the group is intensifying efforts to pressure senators, launching a campaign to encourage more constituents to call the Senate before the chamber recesses.

"The Senate needs to do its job and pass the SAVE America Act. The time for excuses is over. President Trump is demanding it, grassroots conservatives are demanding it, and the American people – across all party lines – are demanding it."

— Jenny Beth Martin, TPPA Chairman

Martin argued that Democratic senators are the main obstacle to passage, stating, "Democrats just won’t budge, even if they support voter ID. They aren’t even trying to work on this and I think that’s a huge issue."

Ally Triolo, the Republican National Committee’s election integrity communications director, also criticized Democrats for blocking the bill, saying, "American elections are for American citizens only — and the RNC is fighting to keep it that way."

Public Support and Party Breakdown

The TPPA poll found that support for the SAVE America Act’s core provisions is not limited to one party. Among those surveyed, 68 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of Independents supported requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, while 63 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of Independents backed photo ID requirements. In total, 56 percent of respondents said the Senate should continue working to pass the act before the upcoming elections.

The Fox News poll similarly reported broad support for voter ID, including among Democrats, and noted that this level of support has been consistent for more than a decade.

Activist Pressure and Next Steps

TPPA and allied groups have a history of organizing for voter ID measures, including a 20-state bus tour in 2025 to collect signatures after an earlier version of the bill stalled. With the current version still blocked, Martin said activists are focused on mobilizing public pressure on senators to act before the legislative recess. Senate Majority Leader Thune has not commented publicly on whether the bill will be brought to a vote, and Democratic leaders have not addressed the latest polling data or calls for negotiation.