The harms associated with current ID policies and laws in the U.S. affect everyone, and they are exacerbated in certain communities due to high costs, discrimination, a limited availability of ID services, and more. In addition to disrupting day-to-day life, a lack of ID also severely limits participation in democracy.
The new report offers system-level solutions and specific recommendations to reduce obstacles and improve access to IDs for everyone. Overall, policymakers should carefully determine when an ID is truly necessary and when requiring it might limit access to basic needs and essential services. Additional recommendations include ways to:
- Simplify documentation requirements and processes
- Reduce the needlessly expensive costs of obtaining and updating IDs
- Increase access to ID services and IDs themselves
- Set nationwide standards for ID accessibility for all
- Reduce discrimination in ID policies and administration
Identity documents can serve important functions but they should not and must not be an obstacle to accessing basic needs and services or participating in civic and daily life. MAP’s new report shows there are clear, achievable paths forward for promoting public safety and good governance while still ensuring the rights of people to move freely, have their needs met, and have an equal opportunity to participate in civic and everyday life.
I'm happy to see increasing attention being given to ways that can bring more voters into the electorate by ensuring they offer ID help and services, and I'm proud to be working alongside other VoteRiders staff, partners, and volunteers to help voters navigate these daunting systems and obtain the ID they need.
Be sure to learn more about the landscape of policies related to ID documents, plus specific community-by-community fact sheets outlining challenges and obstacles to ID.
Sincerely,
Selene Gomez
National Outreach Director
VoteRiders
