A recent Fox News poll reveals that approximately 80% of registered voters favor requiring photo identification to cast a ballot, with similar levels of support for using ID to register to vote. The poll was conducted between July 17-20, 2026, following President Donald Trump's call for support for the SAVE America Act, legislation that would mandate photo ID for federal elections. The act has passed the House of Representatives but is currently stalled in the Senate.
The survey indicates that 83% of registered voters believe photo identification should be required to register to vote, and 77% agree it should be required to cast a ballot. Support for voter ID laws has remained consistent, fluctuating between 77% and 85% in Fox News polling since 2011.
Support for voter ID spans the political spectrum. Nearly all Republicans surveyed (96% for registration, 95% for voting) and a substantial majority of independents (83% for registration, 77% for voting) back the measure. Democratic support stands at 72% for registration and 62% for voting. Notably, Hispanic voters (85% for registration, 76% for voting) and voters under 30 (82% for registration, 75% for voting) also showed strong approval.
Despite the widespread support for voter ID, the SAVE America Act faces challenges in Congress. Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who co-conducts the Fox News Poll, commented on the legislative environment, stating, "It’s a testament to gridlock and partisan polarization that no one seems capable of crafting a legislative compromise that can win passage of a bill featuring policies where large majorities support them."
The poll also examined views on mail-in voting, finding that 64% of registered voters favor universal mail-in voting, a figure that has remained steady since September 2025. This position is strongly supported by Democrats (nearly 9 in 10) and independents (7 in 10), while about 60% of Republicans oppose it. Confidence in the accuracy of mail-in ballots is divided, with a narrow 51% majority expressing confidence that they will be counted accurately. A larger majority, 70%, favors counting ballots postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive late, a practice recently upheld by the Supreme Court concerning a Mississippi law.
Overall confidence in the fairness and accuracy of vote counts varies. While 64% express confidence in their state's vote count, only 53% feel the same about the national level. A significant majority, 68%, believes state governments should hold election authority over the federal government, a sentiment shared across major political groups. Six in 10 voters are confident the final vote count will be fair and accurate, though this confidence is significantly higher among Democrats than Republicans.