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US Envoy Cites India as Model for Voter ID Law

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday said the United States should have a voter ID requirement for people casting their ballots, citing India's voter ID system as an example. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of his special address at the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) National Convention 2026, Gor said US President Donald Trump was clear about the need for voter identification in the United States.

"The President (US President Donald Trump) was very clear, and what India does, having a voter ID law, is something that we should pass in the United States," Gor said. "You had over 660 million people vote, by the way, less than 1 per cent by mail. I think it's vitally important; voter ID is important. It's not a partisan issue, and so the President is absolutely right that the United States should have a voter ID requirement when people show up to vote," he added.

Gor said voter ID should not be viewed as a partisan issue and reiterated that the United States should adopt such a requirement.

Trump Urges Congress to Pass 'SAVE America Act'

Earlier, in a post on X, Gor said, "President Donald J. Trump is absolutely correct! 646 MILLION voters, every single one required an ID in India's last election. Congress should pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!" Gor's endorsement followed a post on Truth Social where President Trump cited a recent exchange involving India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. According to Trump, Kumar asked the US administration, "How can you have Elections in the U.S. without a valid Photo ID?"

The proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, introduced in Congress on January 29, aims to overhaul federal voting standards in the United States. It mandates that state election authorities require physical proof of US citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) upon voter registration, alongside valid photo identification at the ballot box; limits mail voting strictly to specific exceptions, including illness, physical disability, active military service, or travel; and directs US states to purge non-citizens from federal voter registries using federal databases.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump recalled remarks attributed to India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar earlier this month regarding voter identification requirements in the US. "Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration -- How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID?" Trump said. Referring to India's last general election, Trump said, "India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1 per cent voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document." Trump reiterated his call for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, saying, "We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now!"

White House Justifies Need for Stricter Voting Laws

The White House and the Trump administration have drawn direct comparisons between election administration in both countries, asserting that the US relies heavily on self-attestation for citizenship relative to international peers. According to the White House, the legislation is aimed at ensuring that only US citizens participate in deciding federal elections.

"American citizens -- and only American citizens -- should decide American elections," the White House said, describing the SAVE America Act as a "common sense, bipartisan bill." The White House said the proposed legislation would require voters to provide valid identification before registering to vote in a federal election, along with proof of citizenship. It also proposes restrictions on mail-in ballots, allowing them only in cases involving illness, disability, military service or travel. The White House said the Act would direct states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. "If you want to register to vote in the United States, you have to be a citizen in the United States," the White House said.

The administration also compared US election procedures with those in other countries, arguing that America lags behind other nations in enforcing what it described as basic election protections. "India and Brazil tie voter ID to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship," the White House said.

Details of India's Voter Identification

India utilises the EPIC (Elector's Photo Identity Card) system alongside biometric-linked identification (Aadhaar), ensuring almost 100 per cent of the electorate proves identity before casting a ballot.

India's 2024 Lok Sabha election spanned seven phases, recording over 642 million voters with an overall turnout of 65.79 per cent. (ANI)