A new poll shows broad bipartisan support for voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship to register, even as Democrats continue to block Republican-led efforts to impose a nationwide voter ID requirement in all federal elections.
According new polling from Frank Luntz, 80% of black voters support requiring a valid photo ID to cast a ballot versus 20 percent who don’t. Also, Hispanic voters support an ID by a 77-23 percent margin.
Generally, 80 percent of Americans support the requirement. That includes 65% of Democrats, indicating support for the policy extends well beyond party lines, CBS News reported.
Support for requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is also strong, with 66% in favor and 34% opposed. Many respondents indicated that acceptable identification should go beyond student IDs or signatures.
Despite that agreement, Americans remain divided on how such requirements would affect the voting process. Democrats are more likely to say proof of citizenship rules could prevent eligible voters from participating, while Republicans are more likely to say such measures would stop noncitizens from voting.
Partisan differences also shape perceptions of election integrity. A majority of Republicans believe voter fraud is a significant issue, though the number is just over half rather than overwhelming.
Republicans who believe fraud occurs are more likely to say it happens in urban areas and Democratic-leaning states. That view has remained consistent in the years following the 2020 election, when many Republicans questioned the legitimacy of the outcome.
Democrats, by contrast, are more likely to view voter suppression as the larger concern, saying eligible voters face barriers that prevent them from casting ballots.
Mail-in voting continues to generate mixed reactions. Most Americans say voting by mail is acceptable, particularly those who have used it themselves.
Among Republicans, however, there is greater skepticism. Many say mail voting should be limited to those who cannot vote in person and express concerns that it could increase the risk of fraud.
At the same time, voters who cast ballots by mail — including about half of those who supported President Donald Trump — are more likely to say the option should remain widely available.
The poll also found that many Americans are unfamiliar with the specifics of the SAVE Act, a proposal that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Even among those who support voter ID and citizenship verification, awareness of the legislation itself remains limited.
On the question of election oversight, most Americans favor a state-led approach rather than increased federal control. Respondents said they trust their state governments more than the federal government to administer elections.
Views on federal oversight appear to shift depending on which party holds power. Currently, Republicans are more likely to support increased federal involvement, while Democrats tend to oppose it. The dynamic was reversed during the Biden administration.
Despite ongoing political debate, most Americans express at least some level of confidence in how elections are conducted at the local and state levels. A majority say they believe their own votes will be counted accurately.
Even among Republicans who express concern about fraud, most say they are confident that their personal vote will be properly recorded.
The findings reflect a complex picture: widespread agreement on certain election safeguards, paired with deep partisan divides over how the system functions and what changes are needed.