REAL ID with Enhanced Drivers Licenses Removes Need for State Voter ID

Beginning in October 2020, only REAL ID-Compliant Driver's Licenses will get Past the TSA Checkpoint.

Take a quick look at your Driver's License. Does it have a Star in the Upper Right Corner? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing to allow Only those with Starred Licenses to Fly within the U.S.

Driver's Licenses with Stars are REAL ID Compliant, meaning that they are more Secure than what were previously Issued and Verifies Citizenship.

The New Rules were announced back in 2005, when Congress Passed the REAL ID Act on the Recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The Law is intended to create a National Standard and make sure every State has a more Secure Driver's License.

Beginning October 1st, 2020, Travelers who present a Driver's License that is Not REAL ID Compliant will Not be Permitted to Fly. They'll have to bring another Form of Acceptable ID to the Airport instead or be Turned Away. The List of Acceptable IDs includes: a Passport; a Military ID; a Border ID Card; a Trusted Traveler Card such as Global Entry; a Permanent Resident Card; and other Documents.

State-Issued Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) provide Proof of Identity and U.S. Citizenship, are issued in a Secure Process, and include Technology that makes Travel Easier. Five States: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, issue EDLs.

EDLs have an American flag in the Lower Right Corner.

They provide Travelers with a Low-Cost, convenient Alternative for entering the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through a Land or Sea Port of Entry, in addition to serving as a Permit to Drive.

Working with States to Enhance their Drivers Licenses and Identification Documents to Comply with Travel Rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), went into effective June 1st, 2009.

Enhanced Drivers Licenses make it Easier for U.S. Citizens to Cross the Border into the U.S. because they Include a Vicinity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip that will Signal a Secure System to Pull-Up your Biographic and Biometric Data for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer as you approach the Border Inspection Booth, and a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or Barcode that the CBP Officer can Read Electronically if RFID isn't Available.

The Top 39 Land Ports of Entry, which Process more than 95% of Land Border Crossings, are Equipped with RFID Technology that helps Facilitate Travel by Individual presenting EDLs or One of the other RFID-enabled Documents.

You need to Visit a DMV Office to get a REAL ID or EDL because it requires Additional Paperwork, which you can find on your State's DMV website.

For example, here's what the New York DMV website says is required for a REAL ID. You MUST bring to the Office the following Original or Certified Proof Documents:

- Proof of Identity, such as Valid License, Birth Certificate or Passport, with your Full First, Middle, if applicable, and Last Name. This Name, as it appears on your Proof of Identity, will be Displayed on your Card as Required by Federal Law.

- Proof of Social Security Number or Social Security Number Ineligibility. If you have a Valid NY License, Permit or ID Card, you must bring your Original Social Security Card or W-2 with Full SSN. If you do not have a New York State Driver License or Identification Card, you must bring your Social Security Card or a Letter from the Social Security Administration proving your Ineligibility to have a Social Security Number. If you Lost your Social Security Card, you must get a Duplicate before you come to the DMV. The Social Security Administration Website has more Information on obtaining a Duplicate Card.

- Proof of your Date of Birth.

- Proof of U.S. citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency or Temporary Lawful Status in the U.S.

- Two Different Proofs of New York State Residence such as Utility Bill, Bank Statement, or Mortgage Statement, P.O. Box Not Acceptable. This Address will be Displayed on your Card.

- If the Name on your License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID Application does Not Match the Name on your Identity, Lawful Status, and Social Security Proofs you must bring in Court or Government-Issued Proof(s) Documenting the Event(s) causing your Name Change(s) such as a Marriage License(s), Divorce Decree(s), Adoption, or Court Order Document(s).

So this New Driver License will replace the Need for State Voter IDs.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker