REAL ID decision could be boost to Washington elections

There was a stir last week when the Department of Homeland Security told Washington state licensing officials that it would not get another extension to comply with the Real ID Act.

The act approved by Congress in 2005 set higher federal identification standards requiring proof of citizenship or of legal U.S. residency.

Washington already issues an enhanced driver license that costs $18 extra. To get this enhanced license, proof of citizenship is required.

So far, a minority — fewer than 500,000 of the more than 6 million residents with licenses or state ID cards from the Department of Licensing — have opted for the enhanced license. Its benefit — like a passport card — is legal travel by land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

But air travel is not covered. So without a change in state law, many of the 5.4 million Washington residents with standard licenses would not be able to board an aircraft in the U.S. or enter a federal building next year.

State Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said the state’s hand now is forced and the Legislature needs to act in January.

But maybe not. Some 38 percent of residents around the U.S. already have passports that serve as federal identification; others have military, tribal or legal residency identification that would pass federal muster, DOL spokesman Brad Benfield said.

One option for state lawmakers is to adopt a two-tier system much like what is in place with enhanced licenses — but with standard licenses marked clearly that they are not valid for federal purposes. States like California have used that approach.

If lawmakers opt for tighter standards, such as REAL ID envisions, it could ease the way for other benefits. For example, state elections officials could use lists of drivers with proven citizenship and automatically register them to vote. Oregon is doing that to boost voter participation.

Whatever state lawmakers decide, they should they consider the full range of options next year — including opportunities to expand voter rolls.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "REAL ID decision could be boost to Washington elections."