Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was challenged by ABC News host Jonathan Karl on Sunday regarding his assertions about Virginia's voter identification requirements during a discussion about the SAVE America Act.
Karl pressed Warner on national photo identification requirements for voting, asking if Democrats should support such measures. Warner responded by stating, "In Virginia, we have voter I.D. and photo I.D."
Karl directly contradicted the senator, stating, "That's actually not the case. I mean, I'm a Virginia voter. You don't need to show a photo I.D. in Virginia." He explained that while election officials ask for identification, acceptable forms include non-photo documents such as utility bills, bank statements, or government checks. Karl also noted that voters without acceptable identification can sign an affidavit attesting to their identity and cast a regular ballot.
Under Virginia law, voters can present a range of documents, and those without any form of identification can sign an ID Confirmation Statement under felony penalties to cast a ballot. The state's voter registration application also does not require photo identification.
Warner maintained that Virginia has "voter I.D. of one form or another" and argued that the SAVE America Act's broader provisions constitute "voter disenfranchisement." He indicated a willingness to support government-issued identification if applied uniformly but expressed concern that the legislation would restrict voting access.
A 2025 Pew Research Center survey indicated that 83% of Americans favor requiring government-issued photo identification to vote, including 71% of Democrats.
The SAVE America Act, which passed the House in February, would mandate proof of citizenship for registration and photo identification for voting in federal elections. It also requires states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.