A Murkowski moment: Senator who opposes voter ID is checkmated by her own voting record

Sen. Lisa Murkowski is facing renewed scrutiny after posting her opposition to the federal SAVE Act, arguing that Congress should not impose national election rules on states. Readers on the social media site X quickly added “reader context” noting she previously voted to advance sweeping federal election reforms in 2021.

In a statement posted on X, Murkowski said Republicans were united in opposition to Democratic election legislation in 2021 because it would have “federalized elections,” and she argued that current proposals such as the SAVE Act would do the same.

“When Democrats attempted to advance sweeping election reform legislation in 2021, Republicans were unanimous in opposition because it would have federalized elections, something we have long opposed,” Murkowski wrote. “Now, I’m seeing proposals such as the SAVE Act and MEGA that would effectively do just that. Once again, I do not support these efforts.”

Murkowski cited the Constitution’s grant of authority to states to regulate the “times, places, and manner” of holding federal elections, saying that mandates from Washington often fail to fit Alaska’s unique conditions.

“One-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, D.C., seldom work in places like Alaska,” she wrote.

Breaking: Sen. Lisa Murkowski opposes voter ID law

She also warned that implementing new federal election requirements close to Election Day could strain election officials and disrupt preparations already underway.

“Election Day is fast approaching. Imposing new federal requirements now, when states are deep into their preparations, would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies likely without the necessary resources,” Murkowski said.

But beneath her post, users added a “Readers Context” note pointing out that Murkowski’s own voting record complicates her current stance. The note states that Murkowski voted to advance the very 2021 voter reforms she referenced, making her the only Republican senator to do so.

That vote occurred in November 2021, when Murkowski broke with her party to support a procedural motion advancing Democrats’ voting rights legislation, according to Alaska Public Media and the official Senate roll call.

Murkowski’s argument also centers on the Elections Clause of the Constitution, which does give states the primary role in running elections. However, the same clause explicitly grants Congress authority to intervene.

To be specific, Article I, Section 4 states that while states prescribe election regulations, “the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.”

The constitutional debate over where state authority ends and federal authority begins remains at the heart of disputes over voter ID laws, election integrity measures, and voting rights legislation.

Murkowski’s opposition to the SAVE Act places her at odds with many Republicans pushing for national voter identification standards, while her lone 2021 vote continues to fuel criticism that her position on federal election mandates has shifted over time.