The SAVE Act, a key component of conservatives' election security push, has become a focal point in the Virginia Senate race, with Republican challengers seizing on Democrat Mark Warner's opposition to the measure.
Warner's on-air exchange with ABC News anchor Jon Karl highlighted his lack of understanding of Virginia's election laws, which has sparked criticism from his Republican challengers.
Marine Reserves Lt. Col. David Williams, who is running for the Republican nomination, said Warner's mistake raises concerns about his ability to protect the integrity of Virginia's elections.
Williams argued that the SAVE Act is a "common-sense" measure to secure America's elections without disenfranchising legal voters, and called on Warner to support the bill.
Warner had previously argued that the SAVE Act could disenfranchise married women and others, pointing to Republican Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski's opposition as evidence of bipartisan concern.
However, Karl corrected Warner on the air, stating that Virginia voters do not need to show identification at the polls, and that a variety of documents can be used to prove identity.
Warner's opponents have pounced on the exchange, with Gen. Bert Mizusawa and Kim Farington calling for Warner to support the SAVE Act and demanding answers about his stance on election security.
Mizusawa accused Warner of either being ignorant of the flaws in Virginia's election system or intentionally ignoring them, and vowed to join fellow Republicans in supporting the SAVE Act if elected.
Farington also criticized Warner, saying that his lack of knowledge about Virginia's voter ID requirements raises questions about his honesty with voters.
The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, a proposal that Republicans say is needed to secure elections and Democrats argue could create new barriers for eligible voters.
The controversy surrounding the SAVE Act and Warner's opposition has highlighted the deep divisions in the Virginia Senate race, with Republican challengers seeking to capitalize on Warner's mistake and make election security a key issue in the campaign.
