Jacob Grandstaff of Restoration News Media said in an April 14 column that his commentary intervenes in the congressional debate over election security measures as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act faces continued opposition from Democratic leaders.
The discussion comes as Congress considers new requirements for voter identification and proof of citizenship in federal elections. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 218 to 213, would require states to verify citizenship using documents such as passports or birth certificates for federal voter registration. It also mandates that states remove noncitizens from voter rolls using data from federal agencies. Thirty-eight states already require some form of voter identification for voting, according to information available on Congress.gov.
Grandstaff made his statements in an opinion column published by Restoration News. The piece was issued amid ongoing Senate consideration of the legislation and responds to assertions by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that the bill would amount to federalizing Jim Crow. The column examines polling data related to debates over voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship for federal elections, according to Restoration News.
In his column, Grandstaff said, "Requiring voter ID is not burdensome, and minority Americans are not too dumb or too poor to acquire voter ID. The SAVE America Act does not block any eligible citizen. It blocks fraud that undermines minority voters just as much as white voters. Despite supporting Democrats on other issues, most minorities support common sense voting laws that ensure only American citizens are allowed to vote in our elections. Polls prove minorities know this better than Democratic elites," according to Restoration News.
A Pew Research Center survey found that 83 percent of all Americans favor requiring government-issued photo identification to vote, with support at 95 percent among Republicans and 71 percent among Democrats. These findings reflect consistent backing for voter identification measures across party lines and show widespread approval even amid debates over federal election standards, according to Pew Research Center.
Cygnal's February poll showed 70 percent support among likely general election voters for requiring proof of citizenship through voter ID for federal elections. The survey indicated 69 percent of Hispanics and 56 percent of Black voters back the requirement; swing voters expressed 75 percent support according to Cygnal.
Grandstaff serves as an investigative researcher specializing in election integrity, immigration, and labor policy for Restoration News, a project of Restoration of America. He has contributed to outlets including The Federalist and previously worked with the Capital Research Center. Grandstaff holds a master's degree and focuses on policy issues affecting American voters through fact-based analysis.
