During a recent episode of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin expressed opposition to voter ID laws and the proposed SAVE Act, claiming such legislation would disenfranchise Black Americans by creating additional barriers to voting.

The SAVE Act, formally titled the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act,” was introduced to strengthen election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in federal elections.

The bill has been endorsed by numerous Republican lawmakers who argue it would prevent non-citizens from casting ballots and help maintain trust in the electoral process.

Hostin, speaking on the panel, said she believed the law would unfairly impact Black voters, stating that voter ID requirements are a form of suppression.

“If you start making these voter ID laws and the SAVE Act go through, you are going to disenfranchise Black voters,” Hostin said. “You’re making it harder for people to vote, especially communities of color.”

Hostin added that government-issued identification is not as easy to obtain for some Americans, citing economic and accessibility concerns, though she did not provide specific data to support those claims.

Sunny Hostin: Many blacks and women will not be able to vote if we require ID pic.twitter.com/CxEgACUkoX

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 9, 2025

Voter ID laws have become a major political issue in recent years, with Republicans largely supporting measures aimed at strengthening election security, while Democrats argue they impose unnecessary burdens on minority and low-income voters.

However, polling consistently shows that voter ID laws enjoy broad support across racial, political, and economic lines.

According to a Rasmussen Reports survey conducted in 2023, more than 75% of likely voters supported photo identification requirements at the polls, including a majority of Black and Hispanic voters.

The SAVE Act was introduced in response to growing concerns that non-citizens may be voting in U.S. elections.

While federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal races, supporters of the bill argue that enforcement mechanisms are weak and inconsistent across states.

The proposed legislation would require states to verify citizenship status using government-issued identification when registering voters.

Critics of Hostin’s remarks argue that suggesting Black Americans cannot obtain identification is a misleading generalization that does not reflect the reality of voter behavior or access to government services.

They point to the fact that an ID is typically required for many everyday activities, including opening a bank account, flying domestically, or purchasing age-restricted products.

Hostin’s comments quickly drew attention online, with many pointing out that opposition to voter ID has lost public support in recent years.

Former President Barack Obama faced similar criticism in the past when opposing strict voter ID laws, but even during his administration, polling showed increasing support for such measures.

Hostin has frequently weighed in on political topics during her time on The View, often aligning with progressive positions on race, voting, and law enforcement.

She is a former federal prosecutor and joined The View in 2016.

While no vote has yet been held on the SAVE Act, it is expected to be debated in the House in the coming weeks.

Republican lawmakers backing the legislation say it is a commonsense measure that ensures elections are decided only by American citizens.

Opponents argue it could impose additional barriers for certain voter groups.

The debate over voter ID and election integrity is expected to remain a central issue in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties using it to rally their respective voter bases.