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My driver's license expires every 6 years. Now this does vary state by state and, in some states, they expire less often - but in most they are valid for more than just a few years. To be fair, driver's licenses do expire for elderly drivers every few years in a lot of states. But regardless of how often they have to be renewed, it's not hard at all to renew them. I have never had a bad experience renewing my license and have never found it to be difficult. Having to renew a license may be a valid complaint if it expired every three months, but obviously that is not the case in any state.
Last time I checked my passport is valid for 10 years. This obviously does not vary state by state. I actually let it expire last time it came up for expiration but then renewed it before I had to travel out of the country. Renewing a passport is a bit more complicated of a process, but it's not that hard either.
I have a passport and a drivers license. Most people don't have a passport, and if I was elderly or lived in an area with good public transportation, the chances are pretty high that I wouldn't have the drivers license either.
“More Americans have passports now than ever before,” says Ken Chavez, spokesperson for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department. Over one-third of the population to be exact, or nearly 110 million out of 313 million Americans.
I have a passport and a drivers license. Most people don't have a passport, and if I was elderly or lived in an area with good public transportation, the chances are pretty high that I wouldn't have the drivers license either.
Would you have a bank account? Need photo ID to open an account and cash a check. Need one to pick up prescription medication. Have to show one at the doctor's office initially. Ditto the hospital to be admitted. Have to show one to have surgery. Need one for Medicaid. Need one to see Michelle or Barack Obama at, for example, a book signing. Bet you need one to get into the Democrat National Convention. Need one to enter any federal building and get a visitor's badge. Need one to visit someone in prison. Need one to enter the White House. Need one to have utilities turned on in a new residence. Need one to rent in an apartment complex.
Would you have a bank account? Need photo ID to open an account and cash a check. Need one to pick up prescription medication. Have to show one at the doctor's office initially. Ditto the hospital to be admitted. Have to show one to have surgery. Need one for Medicaid. Need one to see Michelle or Barack Obama at, for example, a book signing. Bet you need one to get into the Democrat National Convention. Need one to enter any federal building and get a visitor's badge. Need one to visit someone in prison. Need one to enter the White House. Need one to have utilities turned on in a new residence. Need one to rent in an apartment complex.
Many elderly people do not renew their IDs. They may have an ID but it is expired. When you are 80 and living in assisted living or a nursing home, you are not going to go to the DMV and stand in line to renew an ID you no longer use. If we are going to have laws on voter ID the laws need to exempt people over 70 or allow them to use an expired government issued ID to vote.
Many elderly people do not renew their IDs. They may have an ID but it is expired. When you are 80 and living in assisted living or a nursing home, you are not going to go to the DMV and stand in line to renew an ID you no longer use. If we are going to have laws on voter ID the laws need to exempt people over 70 or allow them to use an expired government issued ID to vote.
That is kind of backwards thinking. Why not find a solution that actually GETS them an ID. Mobile DMV units maybe? I mean besides voting they would probably be helpful for people of that age who sometimes sadly go missing...making sure they have an ID with an updated photo and address would go a long way.
My driver's license expires every 6 years. Now this does vary state by state and, in some states, they expire less often - but in most they are valid for more than just a few years. To be fair, driver's licenses do expire for elderly drivers every few years in a lot of states. But regardless of how often they have to be renewed, it's not hard at all to renew them. I have never had a bad experience renewing my license and have never found it to be difficult. Having to renew a license may be a valid complaint if it expired every three months, but obviously that is not the case in any state.
Last time I checked my passport is valid for 10 years. This obviously does not vary state by state. I actually let it expire last time it came up for expiration but then renewed it before I had to travel out of the country. Renewing a passport is a bit more complicated of a process, but it's not that hard either.
It is not hard because you are not 85 and with health problems. You have the ability to stand in line at the DMV hours and hours to renew a license or ID card. Not everybody does. Some of them cannot even stand in line to vote either. But we don't care.
That is kind of backwards thinking. Why not find a solution that actually GETS them an ID. Mobile DMV units maybe? I mean besides voting they would probably be helpful for people of that age who sometimes sadly go missing...making sure they have an ID with an updated photo and address would go a long way.
I agree with you. A mobile DMV unit that goes to nursing and assisted living places would be great. But the states don't want to pay for it.
It is not hard because you are not 85 and with health problems. You have the ability to stand in line at the DMV hours and hours to renew a license or ID card. Not everybody does. Some of them cannot even stand in line to vote either. But we don't care.
But here's the thing - I believe that most states allow voting by mail for the elderly even if they don't have health problems.
Also, I have never experienced standing in line hours and hours at the DMV. Ever. I have always been able to get in and out pretty quickly. Moreover, in many states you can sometimes renew your license by mail or online (though, to be fair, seniors generally cannot).
As an aside, Democrats allege that Republicans support voter ID laws to reduce voting among groups that are more likely to vote Democrat than Republican, but the elderly are actually more likely to vote Republican than Democrat. Why would the Republicans support voter ID laws as some voter suppression strategy when a key Republican constituency is one of the most likely to have trouble getting ID's?
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