The Senate failed to advance a national voter photo-ID bill — and Alaska's ID rules are looser than most

The U.S. Senate on Saturday failed to advance a bill requiring photo identification to vote in federal elections, falling eight votes short on a party-line 52-46 cloture vote. Both Alaska senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, voted to move it forward.

The vote was on whether to take up the bill, not on passing it. Sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted, the measure would require voters in federal elections to present one of several forms of photo ID — a state license or ID card, passport, military or VA ID, or a tribal ID with a photo and expiration date. It would also reach mail ballots, generally requiring a copy of photo ID or, failing that, the last four digits of a Social Security number with an affidavit. Husted calls it a necessary election-security step; opponents argue photo-ID rules can keep eligible voters from casting ballots, particularly people less likely to hold a government-issued photo ID.

The question lands differently in Alaska, which requires identification at the polls but accepts non-photo forms — the National Conference of State Legislatures classifies it as a "non-strict, non-photo-ID state." A hunting or fishing license, a utility bill, a bank statement or a paycheck all qualify. For federal elections, the bill would have displaced that system, requiring a photo ID where Alaska now accepts those alternatives.

Both Alaska senators voted yes Saturday to allow the body to deliberate, but their records diverge on the broader legislation around voter ID. Both supported a standalone Husted photo-ID amendment in March. In June, Sullivan backed two versions of the broader SAVE America Act — which paired photo ID with new proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and other federal election changes — while Murkowski opposed both. Murkowski has drawn that line publicly for months, including in a February op-ed headlined "I support voter ID — but oppose the SAVE America Act," and again on X in July: "I support voter ID and believe that only U.S. citizens should vote in our elections. But the SAVE America Act goes beyond that and provides no time for proper implementation."

S. 5271 remains on the Senate calendar, but Saturday's vote failed to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to take it up.