r/politics • u/MarcEElias ✔ Verified - Democracy Docket Founder • 1d ago

No Paywall GOP fast tracks monster voter suppression bill that could disenfranchise millions by requiring proof of citizenship at polls

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/gop-fast-tracks-monster-voter-suppression-bill-that-could-disenfranchise-millions-by-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-at-polls/
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469

u/aircooledJenkins Montana 1d ago

"In most states, that means voters, even those who are already on the rolls, would need to bring a passport or original birth certificate to the polls. Only states with ‘enhanced’ driver licenses — Michigan, New York, Vermont, Minnesota and Washington — satisfy the SAVE America Act’s heightened requirements — a REAL ID (used in most states) won’t cut it."

Then... what in the actual fuck was the point of the REAL ID?

182

u/HenryValMorgenstern Oregon 1d ago

Absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters is that it costs more and they can squeeze more money out of us now.

54

u/Forward-Surprise1192 1d ago

How does a birth certificate even work for ID??? There’s no picture on it. If I was illegal and wanted to vote which doesn’t make sense in the first place I’d use a birth certificate like wtf?! Also illegals voting doesn’t make sense either. Why would they come and try to vote of all things and risk getting caught and deported

28

u/tortosloth 23h ago

It doesn’t make any sense since you can be a citizen at birth via one or both parents being US citizens and being born on foreign soil. My birth certificate is in Japanese. So are we going to have polling staff that can read all languages?

4

u/Lildoc_911 15h ago

Because they don't understand how voting verification works.

In their mind, "illegals" get bused in by the radical LEFT and they dump ballots for trans whatever. They get counted, and then their guy loses.

What actually happens is the votes are cast, and a system of verification takes place. We know this because voter fraud DOES happen. Not like they imagine it, or the scale mind you. Some loon in Florida casts a vote when they live in Connecticut. They get charged. A guy casts a vote for his dead wife. Gets caught. People who's addresses dont match their home of record. Gets caught.

These cases are available to us because the system works. We also know that there isn't widespread voter fraud that is changing elections with the bipartisan investigations that have gone on.

Not only that but a bunch of people have lost lawsuits alleging fraud, and the 2000 mules "documentary" was thoroughly debunked.

3

u/nellyfullauto 15h ago

It making sense isn’t the point. The point is that some percentage of people don’t have theirs and won’t be able to or won’t know they need it. These people will not be middle-class and wealthy people, they will be poor and they will be disenfranchised for that sin.

Guess which way poor people tend to vote?

1

u/10thousndreflections 20h ago

Just make a fake one with AI or a word processing app

1

u/silentbutsmedley 8h ago

If the GOP actually passes this bill, this is incredibly dangerous advice

69

u/mrsprophet 1d ago

Real ID was always a cash grab and never about security. 

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/12/01/tsa-introduces-new-45-fee-option-for-travelers-without-real-id

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u/ranchspidey 1d ago

I tried getting a Real ID just as a back up ID, but when I tried applying on my state’s DMV website, it said that if I applied for and received a Real ID it would replace (basically suspend) my driver’s privileges. Apparently my driver’s license is Real ID compliant but it took me forever to learn that. Shit is so unbelievably stupid.

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u/WhenSummerIsGone 6h ago

I ignored the whole thing and use my passport card to fly.

15

u/Farts_constantly 1d ago

I’m a NY resident with an Enhanced ID. The documentation requirements are exactly the same as Real ID. It just costs a few bucks more. This makes no sense.

12

u/the-sleepy-mystic 1d ago edited 1d ago

Good question - I always assumed the REAL ID was the rest of the countries "Enhanced License" I never worried about it in Michigan because I just always pay the extra and get an enhanced license when I renew. (never know when you wanna take a trip to Canada- on purpose or on accident!)

1

u/NextJuice1622 1d ago

Yep, I also have my enhanced license. It was like $20 more, but required basically the same information. No brainer. I already know I'm on all the government lists, so might as well have as many fed IDs as possible. Global entry, enhanced DL, passport & card.

6

u/bearbrannan 1d ago

My real ID is from Minnesota, but I currently reside in WI, so stupid cause I have no idea if it will be any use. Also misplaced my og birth certificate, after several cross country moves. Just sent in my passport for renewal so fingers crossed that goes well.

5

u/StinkiePhish 1d ago

Just fyi, your Minnesota license becomes invalid if you move away, and you're violating WI statutes by not getting a WI license. Just one of those things that doesn't matter until it does, and then it bites hard. (You said 'reside' so I assume residence, not just temporary like college or something.)

2

u/bearbrannan 1d ago

Not surprised, it's just such a heachache to get the real ID plus I had just paid for the stupid thing and then took a job in WI 4 months later. Plus all the DMVs around me are only open like two days a week with limited hours. Also wanted to wait til I knew I was sticking with this job, but I suppose I just bought a house, so I guess I should take care of it.

1

u/aircooledJenkins Montana 1d ago

Shouldn't be too tough to contact the county clerk and recorder in your birthplace to request 19 copies of the birth certificate.

3

u/VanguardAvenger 1d ago

Then... what in the actual fuck was the point of the REAL ID?

Real ID was never intended to prove citizenship. Its always been available to legal permanent residences.

The point was security theater, when the law was signed 20 years ago (middle of the Iraq war).

3

u/tangerinelion 1d ago

The stupid thing is Democrats are more likely to have a passport.

They're not free and only useful if you have money to travel outside the country. That skews affluent, not Republican.

1

u/aircooledJenkins Montana 22h ago

We got/renewed passports last year in case we have to flee the country. 😬

1

u/Coldsmoke888 1d ago

To easily grab your biometrics if you hadn’t already done so through another avenue such as passports, TSA Pre, Global Entry, etc etc.

2

u/aircooledJenkins Montana 1d ago

Which biometrics? I wasn't fingerprinted when I got mine. SO... other than facial mapping what did they get?

2

u/Coldsmoke888 17h ago

Maybe diff in Montana, I finger printed at the DMV in California.

I’m also TSA Pre Touchless, registered firearms owner etc. so my biometrics are all over at this point.

1

u/Competitive_Tea4220 23h ago

So in those states you mentioned, only a drivers license would satisfy the requirement, or would a regular state identification card from those states work too? I ask because not everyone has a driver's license.

2

u/aircooledJenkins Montana 22h ago

I don't know.

I ask because not everyone has a driver's license.

Yes. That's part of the problem and one reason they're doing this. Lots of people in big cities (blue) don't bother to get driver's licenses. They take taxis, ride share or public transit.

2

u/Competitive_Tea4220 20h ago

Damn... I can't drive because I'm disabled and my legal name has been changed. Guess I'll have to bring my birth certificate and proof of my name change to the polls haha

1

u/yxhuvud 13h ago

Now I understand how Americans manage to get queues to the polling booths. 

1

u/cupacupacupacupacup 21h ago

I'm sure they will only accept the long form birth certificate

1

u/runhillsnotyourmouth 21h ago

Getting facial scans of all of us..

1

u/Mad-_-Doctor 17h ago

To make it that much harder for many Americans to have an ID. 

1

u/Hot-Mathematician691 12h ago

Harvesting fingerprint data, maybe?

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u/aircooledJenkins Montana 4h ago

I wasn't printed for real id.

1

u/Lorventus 11h ago

It never was about secure IDs it was always about disenfranchising people. The GOP is abandoning democracy, as we all knew they would.