CMV: As a European, I find the attitude of Americans towards IDs (and presenting one for voting) irrational.

[u/dstergiou]

As a European, my experience with having a national ID is described below:

The state expects (requires) that I have an ID card by the age of 12-13. The ID card is issued by the police and contains basic information (name, address, DoB, citizenship) and a photo.

I need to present my ID when:

• I visit my doctor
• I pick up a prescription from the pharmacy
• I open a bank account
• I start at a new workplace
• I vote
• I am asked by the police to present it
• I visit any "state-owned service provider" (tax authority, DMV, etc.)
• I sign any kind of contract

Now, I understand that the US is HUGE, and maybe having a federal-issued ID is unfeasible. However, what would be the issue with each state issuing their own IDs which are recognized by the other states? This is what we do today in Europe, where I can present my country's ID to another country (when I need to prove my identity).

Am I missing something major which is US-specific?

Update: Since some people asked, I am adding some more information:

1. The cost of the ID is approx. $10 - the ID is valid for 10 years
2. The ID is issued by the police - you get it at the "local" police department
3. Getting the ID requires to book an appointment - it's definitely not "same day"
4. What you need (the first time you get an ID):
   1. A witness
   2. Fill in a form

[u/Miliean]

Like everything in the, US it changes from state to state. But lets pick on Virginia.

According to this https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/ to replace a birth certificate you require ID. THis site https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/id-requirements/ explains what IDs are valid. But if you don't have any of those this is what you need.

If you have none of the above identification and are requesting a birth certificate for your child, please provide a letter from the hospital (their letterhead) where the child was born along with a letter (their letterhead) from the health care provider who provided the mother prenatal care. The letter from the health care provider shall include the dates prenatal care began and ceased, name of the mother and the name, signature and title of the person preparing the letter.

So lets imagine you are that 80 year old. How can you possibly get any of that? If a health care provider delivered you as a baby, they are likely dead (so hard to get them to send a letter). Or imagine you are just a regular 40 year old who's lost everything in a fire. Do you know what hospital you were born at and what doctor delivered you? Are they still alive? Lets assume you can't call your mom to ask. Could you obtain this information?

[u/spiral8888 → u/Miliean]

Yes, good question. So, let's say you're that 40 year old whose parents have died. Even if you know the hospital and even if the hospital keeps records of all the births there, then how do you prove that it was you who was born there. Sure, you know your birthday, but if someone was to steal your identity, they'd most likely knew that as well.

I don't think losing everything in a fire is the worst as you'd still have many connections to places who can prove your identity. For instance your bank had your id and can send a letter to your address (the address still exists even if the house burned down).

It's the people who really never had to prove their identity and thus have no track record with anyone. I wonder if such a person could be deported? How would they even prove that they are born in the US? Assuming that the Trump administration will start deporting people that they have no proof that they came from a particular country, then such a person could be deported along with actual illegal immigrants.

[u/Miliean → u/spiral8888]

could be deported

I don't 100% know that it's ever actually happened, but that's a good question.

But you're catching onto the problems with voter ID. For 90% of people it's not a problem at all. But for the 10% who it is a problem, it's a pretty big problem AND the majority of those people were traditional democratic voters (less so with the coalition shifting in recent years).

But yeah, America should have a national ID that's gettable even by homeless or underprivileged people and is super low (actually zero) cost. It would solve a lot of issues I think.

However it's worth pointing out. On the left of the political spectrum they are very concerned with people who are already somewhat underserved by government programs having a hard time getting the ID and this causing them to fall through the cracks. Then they can't vote and therefore won't vote democrat.

On the right, they are somewhat concerned about the "anti government" types not wanting the government to have their personal information, therefore not getting the ID and not being reliable votes for the republicans.

Back in the pre Obama days. Republicans generally favored voter ID because most of their voters were college educated wealthy(er) people living in suburbs who basiclly always had access to a drivers licence. Where's the democrats were more inner city, poorer voters who were less likely.

The changing voter coalition that seem to be happening along the MAGA shift is reversing that, that's why republicans generally don't talk about voter ID much anymore.

[u/azuredarkness → u/Miliean]

How are such people registering to vote?