I just completed what should have been a simple task: renewing my drivers license. In the past the most odious things about it was taking a half or full day off work (the DMV keeps "bankers hours" which means that most people are working at the same time the DMV is open) and coming prepared to sit and wait. On top of that, being pleasant with the folks at the DMV (tough with a sore butt from sitting in less than comfy chairs) by remembering that DMV employees, like most public workers, are overworked, understaffed, underappreciated, and underpaid.
Not any more.
Today, I can tell a new joke:
When is your drivers license insufficient identification?
When you go to renew it.
Not. A. Laughing. Matter.
Seriously.
Even though it has my picture, vital stastics, hologram and other security measures to prevent tampering, and my signature, it's no longer "good enough" when it comes time for a new one.
The culprit is The Real ID Act, sponsored by my own awful Congresscritter, F. James Sensenbrenner (yeah ... him), enacted May 11, 2005 under the continual Threat Level Orange Scary Terrorists Are Out to Get Us So We're Ready to Do Anything to Make Us Feel Safe Even If It Doesn't Actually Make Us Safe national frenzy of chickenshittery that prevailed at the time. Under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security, states are now required to strengthen the standards for obtaining identification. In other words, we're now guilty of not being who we claim to be until we prove it beyond all doubt.
13 states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming), including my own, are now in compliance.
Other states have not provided sufficient information, at this time, for DHS to determine if they meet the Act’s requirements. These states will have an opportunity to respond with additional information before DHS makes a final determination. DHS will continue to receive and review state submissions on a rolling basis.
Beginning January 15, 2013, those states not found to meet the standards will receive a temporary deferment that will allow Federal agencies to continue to accept their licenses and identification cards for boarding commercial aircraft and other official purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security is about to push back on the remainder of the states:
DHS’s goal is to implement the REAL ID Act, as required by law, in a measured, fair, and responsible way. In the coming weeks and months, DHS will, in consultation with States and stakeholders, develop a schedule for the phased enforcement of the Act’s statutory prohibitions to ensure that residents of all states are treated in a fair manner. DHS expects to publish a schedule by early fall 2013 and begin implementation at a suitable date thereafter.
This time, instead of a couple of hours, the process took 2 days. One day to drive down to the County Courthouse, pay to park, and pay to obtain a
certified copy of my birth certificate. A regular copy, which was provided in 1969 when I got my first drivers license at age 18, just won't do anymore. Not with the Real ID Act. You need a certified, raised seal birth certificate. And the line at the Courthouse to obtain that certified copy has become very long .... because of all the people who now need that frankly uncessary document to obtain their license or ID renewal. Yes, the very nice clerk I dealt with mentioned that they got busy the day The Real ID Act went into effect the middle of January. She now has lines of people all day every day.
The second day was needed to present all my proof that I am who I say I am to the DMV, pay for the renewal, take my eye test, have my mug shot taken, and, mostly stand in line to a "number", and wait for my number to be called at a series of counters as task after task was accomplished. It's a good thing that I brought my checkbook. They only accept cash and checks; none of those credit or debit cards are accepted although, for a few, you can use their ATM.
If you weren't born here, you need your naturalization papers.
If you're a married or divorced woman or anyone who has had a name change, you'll need documentation of those changes. Only official court paperwork accepted. Start now compiling all of that. In my case, I've never been married or changed my name so my folder of "identity proof" was fairly small.
I had my Social Security Card (required despite the information on the card itself saying it's not to be used for identification purposes), but anyone who has lost or misplaced their cards should start the process to get a replacement right now. You can also use a W2 form, pay stub which has your full name and Social Security number on it, however, most employers no longer list anything but the last 4 SS numbers due to problems with identity theft. Even my recently arrived 1099 tax form only listed the last 4 numbers. Therefore, getting a replacement card is best.
Of course, I also brought copies of my latest utility bills and bank statement (backup, if needed) to verify address.
If I had been working rather than retired, I would have needed to take time off work, and that, perhaps is the point of all of this.
The Bottom Line
As difficult as it has been to obtain "official identification", it's getting a lot worse. And that is why ALEC and their State Legislative pals are all gung-ho on requiring ID for voters. If the process is this expensive and time consuming for someone simply renewing their IDs, it's going to be worse for someone who doesn't drive, has limited or no financial resources, people who can't access the documents because they've been lost in fires or mishandling at their county courthouses, people who can't afford the enormous fees to replace official decress of marriage or divorce, or to obtain certified copies, wasn't born in the place they live making it even more difficult to obtain documents, had name changes, or has no access to the internet with printing capabilities (yes, you have to go online to complete the form and print it out to bring with you).
The people who will have the most difficulty with this are the same people that Republicans want to keep away from their right to vote. And requiring ever more "proof" of your identity, using "terror" as an excuse has been most convenient to their disenfranchisement of certain types of voters. And, of course, the continual shrieks about "voter fraud" despite the lack of evidence as a "serious concern" which "demands" the presentation of the ever-more-difficult-to-obtain ID card.
It's incredible to think about what I've had to go through to obtain my renewed drivers license and it's not even in my hand yet (no, they don't print them onsite anymore - that job is now outsourced to a "secure facility" and will be sent by mail).
Last month I applied for Social Security benefits and the process was not only painless, but very convenient. I went online, completed and submitted a form, got a call several days later saying the application was being processed and that's it! I didn't have to drive down to the Social Security office, sit and wait to be called, or bring an armload of documents. It took all of 10 - 15 minutes and I was done.
While I was at the Courthouse, I took the opportunity (and expense) of obtaining a passport and while a certified copy of my birth certificate was required (it costs $2 more per additional copy when obtaining the first one), my drivers license was acceptable as ID. It was actually easier to apply for the passport than renew my drivers license!
With Republicans continually crying crocodile tears about how regulations are "killing jobs", it seems that it's only the motivation of political gain that makes them increase the senseless regulations and onerous requirement on people who simply want an ID card or drivers license.
.
Addendum: Don't miss the comment from mph2005 here. You'll cry too.