MADISON, Wis. — New reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reveals that Bryan Steil has introduced a federal voter ID bill that would make it even more difficult for Wisconsinites to cast their ballots. The bill reduces the number of acceptable forms of photo ID at the polls and imposes additional requirements on voters who cast their ballots by mail, such as forcing voters to print out and attach a copy of their ID every time they mail in their ballot.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: U.S. Rep. Steil proposes federal voter ID law stricter than Wisconsin’s
By: Ricardo Torres | 6/26/26
Wisconsin Republican Congressman Bryan Steil introduced a federal voter identification legislation that, if passed, would limit the forms of ID that can be used in federal elections and be stricter than Wisconsin’s voter ID law that was recently enshrined in the state constitution.
The proposed legislation has been referred to the U.S. Committee on House Administration, of which Steil is the chair.
“Voter ID provides a common-sense solution to restoring confidence in our elections. It’s a pretty simple concept, you must show a photo ID to vote,” Steil said at a House Administration Committee meeting June 24. “The Voter ID Act establishes a clear standard for federal elections to strengthen voter confidence and restore trust.”
The proposed legislation would limit the types of photo ID to a valid driver’s license, military ID, passport or tribal ID with a photo and expiration date. It would also require those who wish to vote absentee, or by mail, to submit a copy of their photo ID with the ballot — or provide the last four digits of their social security number along with “an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain such a copy.”
The proposed legislation would also provide funding to states to provide free IDs to those who need them.
Steil’s bill is narrower than Wisconsin’s photo ID law, which also permits certificate of naturalization, college ID cards so long as they includes date of issuance, student’s signature and expires no later than two years after it’s issued. Some universities issue separate ID cards that fit the requirements.
Democrats on the committee criticized the proposal.
Democratic New York Congressman Joe Morelle, ranking committee member, said the bill bans college IDs, along with tribal IDs and hunting, fishing and firearm licenses if they don’t have an expiration date.
“Americans across the political spectrum agree on this simple point, after meeting certain minimal accessibility standards, states know best how to ensure a free, fair and secure election,” Morelle said. “But this bill isn’t meant to secure elections, it’s meant to ensure certain Americans cannot access the ballot easily.”
Rachel La Due, Wisconsin Democratic Party deputy communications director, said Steil is on a crusade to create obstacles for Wisconsin voters. She described this proposal as a voter suppression effort that would “require Wisconsinites to buy a printer to print their ID every time they cast their mail-in ballot.”
This isn’t Steil’s first attempt at passing legislation impacting voting. Steil was the author of Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would have required voters to show a birth certificate or a passport to vote. It passed in the House but failed in the Senate.
President Donald Trump has urged legislators to pass the SAVE Act and cancelled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill until SAVE Act is passed.
