Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in support of the SAVE America Act, a bill designed to require valid photo identification for all federal elections and proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The legislation builds on the previously passed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
“All Americans want safe and secure elections,” said Rep. Simpson, who is a cosponsor of the legislation. “Requiring photo identification and verifying United States citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections is not a controversial issue. In fact, it is a common-sense approach to strengthening current election laws. The SAVE America Act is the right solution to ensure that only American citizens decide American elections.”
The SAVE America Act mandates that voters present a photo ID at polling stations during federal elections. For absentee or mail-in voting, individuals must include a copy of their ID with their ballot submission. Additionally, states would be required to check voter rolls monthly for noncitizens and other ineligible registrants.
According to recent data, 83% of Americans support photo ID requirements for voting, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. The bipartisan measure was approved by the House with a vote count of 218-213.
Simpson has represented Idaho’s 2nd district in Congress since 1999 after succeeding Mike Crapo. Before his time in Congress, he served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1984 until 1998. Simpson was born in Burley, Idaho in 1950 and currently lives in Idaho Falls. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1972.
