Implementation of Real ID Approach Imminent, Potential Impacts on Voting Explored

Revved-Up: The REAL ID Crunch Puts Airports and States on Alert for May 7 Countdown

Hey there! digital caught up with Acting TSA Administrator Adam Stahl to discuss the impact of REAL ID on travel, as airports and states gear up for the May 7 deadline.

The federal government's long-awaited enforcement of REAL ID travel requirements kicks off on Wednesday, coinciding with the House's passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act in late April. This legislation aims to ensure that U.S. elections are cast only by American citizens.

While REAL ID might serve as an additional identification option for voting, it's worth noting that the Act is the stepping stone towards verifying the citizenship of voters in U.S. elections. The Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act, is currently en route to the Senate.

SAFEGUARD AMERICA, STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT VOTING, VOTERS SAY!

An airport screen showcases the REAL ID, as the deadline to travel without one nears. (Our Website)

So, what does the SAVE Act entail as far as proof of citizenship goes? Well, besides a REAL ID that aligns with the Act's enhanced security standards, other documents in the crosshairs of this legislation include a U.S. passport, a military ID listing a U.S. birthplace, or a valid government-issued photo ID coupled with a birth certificate that indicates a U.S. birthplace.

But let's break this down: Having a REAL ID doesn't implicitly confirm citizenship since even legal residents can obtain one. Nonetheless, some states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont, provide REAL IDs exclusively for U.S. citizens in compliance with the SAVE Act.

Advocates of the SAVE Act hope that more states willfollow suit and implement citizen-only REAL IDs. As Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, explains, "The structure is in place now to encourage more states to do so."

VOTERS SAY YES TO PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS, NEW POLL REVEALS!

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, attends the inauguration of President Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, January 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Established in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks, REAL ID has finally made its way to the forefront after years of delayed implementation. In an effort to boost security standards for driver's licenses, the Trump administration has set May 7 as the final deadline for traveling or accessing certain federal facilities, like military bases.

Those without a REAL ID who travel after the deadline will need to rely on other forms of identification, such as a U.S. passport or military ID. However, REAL ID remains a contentious issue among lawmakers, with supporters finding it indispensable for national security, while critics deem it a breach of individual liberties and a step toward a national identification system.

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Source: Digital and Associated Press, Elizabeth Elkind.

Diana Stancy, a politics reporter for Our Website Digital, covers the White House.

The federal government's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which aims to secure U.S. elections by verifying the citizenship of voters, was passed in the House in late April.
Both REAL ID and a U.S. passport are listed among the identifying documents that will be required under the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which is currently making its way through the Senate.
While obtaining a REAL ID doesn't confirm someone's citizenship, some states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont, provide REAL IDs exclusively for U.S. citizens in compliance with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
As the May 7 deadline for REAL ID enforcement approaches, the implementation of citizen-only REAL IDs is being advocated by supporters of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, with Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, expressing hope that more states will follow suit.