REAL I.D. – LICENSES - Starting October 1st, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card to fly in the U.S. or to enter federal facilities. There is growing concern about misinformation about REAL ID and voting as many states including Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas require some form of I.D. to cast a vote. REAL ID compliant licenses and IDs are marked with the cutout of a star in a gold background in the upper right hand corner. You must have it to be allowed to board a commercial flight. But what about voting? Voting rights advocates say a REAL ID isn’t needed.
“When you go to vote – it does not matter a hoot if you have that star or not," Explained Grace Chimene, president of the League of Women Voters of Texas. Chimene says there is misinformation spreading that REAL ID is required to vote – which could keep some people from going to the polls. Chimene is trying to get the word out with the correct information.
Chimene said “I do believe it is misinformation, and we need to be very clear that REAL ID is not something people have to worry about right now for voting.”
The website VOTETEXAS.GOV shows the types of I.D. accepted to vote. REAL ID is not required to vote. The goal of REAL ID is to prevent and deter terrorists’ abilities to produce fraudulent identification. So if you’re planning to fly anywhere after October 1st, check your license to make sure it has that gold star, if it’s not there—you’ll want to get a new one. But if you have a valid Passport, that will be acceptable.
