I.D. Fees Further Voter Disenfranchisement

[gateley]

By Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

In New York City, we get used to sticker shock: $15 for a mojito: ok I'll nurse it all night. Try insuring a car or even just parking it, forget about it--I'll ride the subway. Rent for two human beings with walls and doors, oh that's going to cost you-- time to move to an outer borough. But recently I had a new source of outrage: the cost of renewing a NYS driver's license.

At first my renewal process was swimming along nicely. I was at the DMV Xpress which for the DMV was moving along at lightening pace: my picture was snapped by the surly woman behind the counter who didn't give me enough warning to even crack a smile, the eye examine was done to confirm that yes indeed the glasses that I wear every hour of every day would also need to be worn while I'm behind the wheel and only a full hour later I got to the down to real business: whipping out my debit card.

"$50, ma'am."

"Did you say $15?" I thought I had gotten off easy.

"No. $50. FIVE ZERO."

more.... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-brennan-center-for-ju...

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. Last time I checked, you can come in w/almost any ID

Albany debated stricter standards but it was blocked. Who says we need ID that costs money?

[lligrd]

3. It Is What The Repugs Are Trying To Pass

Government issued ID to vote.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. Not in my state n/t

[lligrd]

8. The Key Word Is Trying

and yes, they are trying to get it to apply everywhere.

[Fredda Weinberg]

13. Nope. I've been paying attention in NYS. n/t

[lligrd]

2. Very True

If the government is going to demand ID cards (which they shouldn't) to vote then they should be free. That would be an excellent legal argument.

[MADem]

4. They have a cheaper ID, but if you need a license, you can't have both

If you do not drive, you may choose a short-term non-driver ID card valid for 4 to 5 years, or a long-term ID card valid for 8 to 9 years. The exact period of your ID card and your fee depend on whether you select a short-term or long-term ID and the relationship between the date you apply and the expiration date (your month and day of birth). A short-term ID card will cost between $9.00 and $10.00. A long-term ID will cost between $13.00 and $14.00. These fees include a $5.00 photo document fee.

Discounted Non-Driver ID Card For Seniors and SSI Recipients

If you are 62 years old or older or are receiving Social Security Income (SSI), you are eligible for a 10-year ID card at a reduced fee of $6.50. If you are both 62 or older and you receive SSI, there is no fee. If you receive Social Security Income (SSI), in addition to documents proving your name and age, you also must prove you receive SSI. DMV will accept ANY ONE of the following documents from the Social Security Administration as proof that you receive SSI:

Notice of Award
Notice of Change in Payment (SSA-L8151)
Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information (SSA-2458)
Benefit Verification Letter



http://www.nysdmv.com/broch/c-33.htm

[Fredda Weinberg]

5. You don't need any state issued ID to vote in NY n/t

[MADem]

7. I was keying off the OP article...not current law

The article author apparently has, despite the law, had a different experience; or fears one coming:

I choked. That didn't seem right. But this is a basic form of I.D. I thought. Especially in the "new normal" of 2007 where not having a valid I.D. can cost a citizen her voting rights. I handed over my debit card. At least I'll get miles on this transaction.

A friend of mine is a vice president at Greenwich Capitol. His birthday is two days after mine and so you guessed it, he also has a soon to be expired NYS driving license. He told me he was heading to the DMV soon. I told him to bring his check book. He was incredulous. "Fifty freaking dollars for a new license? You're kidding! Maybe I won't bother to renew." But we both knew that this was a bluff and since I'm a lawyer and he is an economist we can afford the $50 hit.

But this is not true of everyone. $50 for an I.D. is enough to prevent many from getting one. This cost barrier may explain why only about half of New York City residents even have a driver's license. And if a disturbing trend continues in which photo I.D.s are a prerequisite to voting, this $50 piece of plastic may act as a barrier to our most basic constitutional rights. This is one reason why making photo I.D.s a voting requirement makes no sense. People should not lose their franchise just because they don't have $50 to drop on a driver's license. Maybe they have other bills to pay, like that crazy rent which come January is set to jump even higher.

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. The author is either ignorant or deliberately misleading

But you can look it up yourself

http://www.vote411.org/bystateresult.php?state=NY

If you are a new voter who is registering by mail, you will be required to show identification when you go to vote for the first time. If you are aleady registered at the board of elections or a state agency, you should not have to show identification at the polls. It is advisable for all new voters to bring identification when voting for the first time. Acceptable IDs to to vote are:

Passport
Government ID card
Military ID card
Student ID card
Public housing ID card
Any ID specified by HAVA and New York State law as acceptable
Utility bill
Bank statement
Paycheck
Government check (Social Security, tax refund, military paycheck or paycheck stub)
Other government documents with your name and address including but not limited to: voter registration card, hunting, fishing, or trapping license or firearm permit.

[MADem]

15. I understand that the OP article is 'excitable' and I realize the law does not presently

require ID to vote.

The author is freaking at the cost of a license, fearing that one day there will be such a law, and that the poor will be disenfranchised as a result. I am responding to those concerns.

All I am doing is pointing out that one who isn't a driver CAN get a cheaper form of ID should they need/want it in the future.

[lligrd]

9. My Father Was Without An Id

for several years when he was too sick to travel anywhere. I wonder what they would do about those that are homebound and unable to travel to the DMV to get a photo ID. What about mail in ballots?

[MADem]

11. I know how the military does it for aged retirees

They now are able to use the old picture, which is stored digitally, or, if the person wants a more recent shot, they can actually take a pic of the person, so long as it is reasonably clear with a plain background, and scan it in. The whole thing can be done by mail--there are a few hoops to jump through, but it's not impossible.

The retiree ID cards are good forever, and they're changing the rules for the dependents as well to make the IDs not expire so frequently, to cut down on costs--the new IDs are higher-tech than the old ones, and the holograms on them make them pricier than the old ones with the melted plastic seal around them.

[aquart]

10. Checked the outrageous price for a passport?

They don't raise taxes, oh no. They raise FEES right thru the fucking roof.

[MADem]

12. It's a gut-buster. Only the rich can go visit grandma in Canada or Mexico soon! nt