As the Senate considers the SAVE America Act, which would mandate photo identification for federal elections, a new Fox News national survey finds broad public support for such requirements — while also showing strong backing for universal mail-in voting. The legislation passed the House in February and remains stalled in the Senate. President Donald Trump urged Americans to contact lawmakers in favor of the bill during a July 16 primetime address.
The poll, conducted July 17–20 among 1,003 registered voters, reveals that roughly 8 in 10 support requiring photo ID to register to vote (83%) and to cast a ballot (77%). Support for voter ID has remained consistently high since Fox News began tracking the issue in 2011, ranging between 77% and 85%.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans broadly support the SAVE America Act and view photo ID requirements as essential to election integrity. The survey shows near-unanimous Republican backing: 96% favor photo ID to register and 95% support it for voting. Conservative commentators have argued that voter ID laws protect against fraud and build public confidence in elections.
On mail-in voting, roughly 6 in 10 Republicans oppose universal mail-in balloting, and about the same proportion express skepticism that such ballots will be counted accurately. More than half of Republicans — 53% — oppose counting late-arriving ballots postmarked by Election Day. The GOP position reflects concerns about chain-of-custody vulnerabilities and delayed tabulations that have fueled distrust since the 2020 election cycle.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and progressive advocacy groups have expressed reservations about strict photo ID requirements despite majority support. The survey shows 72% of Democrats back photo ID to register and 62% to vote — notably lower than Republican or independent backing. "It's a testament to gridlock and partisan polarization that no one seems capable of crafting a legislative compromise," said Democratic pollster Chris Anderson, who co-conducts the Fox News Poll with Republican Daron Shaw.
On mail-in voting, nearly 9 in 10 Democrats favor universal mail-in balloting (roughly 90%), and two-thirds express confidence that such ballots will be counted accurately. The party overwhelmingly supports counting ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later — 88% back the practice. Progressive groups have argued that mail-in voting expands access, particularly for voters with disabilities, those serving overseas, and workers who cannot take time off on Election Day.
What the Numbers Show
The Fox News Poll provides detailed breakdowns on voter attitudes toward both ID requirements and mail-in voting: Photo ID to vote breaks down as Republicans 95%, independents 77%, Democrats 62%. Universal mail-in voting support is Democrats roughly 90%, independents roughly 70%, Republicans roughly 40%. Confidence in accurate mail ballot counting is Democrats 66%, Republicans roughly 40%, independents roughly 40%.
On broader election confidence, 76% of voters feel certain eligible Americans can vote, while only 61% believe ineligible voters will be prevented from doing so. By a 2-to-1 margin, respondents prefer state governments (68%) over the federal government (31%) should control election administration — a view shared across party lines. Overall, 6 in 10 express confidence the final tally will be fair and accurate even if counting extends several days past Election Day.
The survey was conducted under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), with live interviewers reaching respondents by landline (70), cellphone (681), or online text invitation (252). The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points for the full sample, with an oversample bringing the 18-29 voter subgroup to 350 respondents (±5).
The Bottom Line
The poll data presents a complicated landscape for lawmakers. While majorities across party lines support photo ID requirements, deep partisan divisions emerge on mail-in voting and confidence in election administration. The SAVE America Act faces an uncertain path forward in the Senate despite public backing for its core provisions — a dynamic Shaw and Anderson characterized as reflecting broader legislative gridlock rather than policy disagreement.
What to watch: Whether bipartisan negotiations produce amendments addressing Democratic concerns about access, or whether Republicans push for a standalone vote on photo ID requirements alone. The November midterms loom as both parties seek to mobilize their bases around election security themes.