You get carded for the good Sudafed behind the counter, for a plane ticket, and for every gun you buy. So why is the ballot box the one place where showing ID is too much to ask? The House passed the SAVE America Act 218–213, and the Senate's photo ID bill fell short 52–46. Here in Michigan, you can still vote without a photo ID by signing an affidavit.

I make the case for voter ID. Then I give the other side its best shot, including Georgia's own numbers and the 21 million Americans who don't have their papers handy. Then I tell you where I land. Show ID when you vote, pay for your own ID like I pay for my background check, and no grace period. Then a fellow Gen Xer goes to work somewhere nobody's carrying a wallet.

🎙️ The Rusty Mic: A Gen-Xers Podcast with James EdgemanFollow, share and comment. The mic still works.

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CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to The Rusty Mic

0:16 Cold Open: Where Voter ID Stands

3:56 Room 1: Card Me

11:04 Room 2: The Paperwork Problem

17:53 Room 3: Card Me. No Excuses.

23:12 Ahh Dude, NO: Adam Sandler's Nude Beach

25:08 Outro

CLIP CREDITSClip used under fair use for commentary and criticism.• Harry Enten on voter ID polling: CNN, via @ForecasterEnten https://x.com/i/status/2018727149050741020

SOURCESHouse roll call: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026062Senate roll call 231: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00231.htm

Michigan SOS: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/vote-on-election-day

NBC News (Pew 83%): https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/americans-support-photo-id-vote-democrats-oppose-save-america-act-rcna259549

Gallup: https://news.gallup.com/poll/652523/americans-endorse-early-voting-voter-verification.aspx

Carter-Baker Commission: https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/6/Exhibit%20M.PDF

Supreme Court, DHS v. League of Women Voters: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/26a308%5Fpok0.pdf

Brennan Center: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/213-million-american-citizens-voting-age-dont-have-ready-access

NCSL (state driver's licenses): https://www.ncsl.org/immigration/states-offering-drivers-licenses-to-immigrants

#TheRustyMic #GenX #VoterID #SAVEAmericaAct #Michigan #ElectionIntegrity #Election2026 #Midterms #ConservativePodcast #Podcast