General Discussion

MineralMan

(147,325 posts) Thu Sep 5, 2024, 02:42 PM Sep 5

270

About a month or so ago, I suggested that everyone needs a passport or [View all]

Real ID driver's license. As usual, many people said they didn't need either, and that it was unconstitutional to have to prove your citizenship.

And now, some states are attempting to suppress the vote by requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Again, that is unconstitutional, but when has that stopped people from trying to do such things?

So, once again, I suggest you get your passport and/or your Real ID. While you're at it, order up a certified copy of your birth certificate. Get a marriage certificate, too, if you are a woman and changed your surname after you got married.

Don't like it? I don't either, but I prepare for things. There may be many things I don't like in the near future, if things go wrong.

Protect yourself. Get those documents and store them safely.

Really! Just do it!

171 replies

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Highlight:

About a month or so ago, I suggested that everyone needs a passport or [View all] MineralMan Sep 5 OP

When I came up these were items you stored where you could grab them on the way out of your burning house... pecosbob Sep 5 #1

Yes. So I was taught. MineralMan Sep 5 #3

Life is a lot more Murphy's Law than anything else IMO. pecosbob Sep 5 #8

The universe does not care MineralMan Sep 5 #15

And do you think the coopted officials at the voting places will always take a passport or birth certificate? erronis Sep 5 #28

That is a different problem. MineralMan Sep 5 #30

No, it isn't Cirsium Sep 5 #80

What is required to vote is determined by state law. Ms. Toad Sep 5 #73

The GOP aim is to require these as proof of citizenship to register to vote, Jack Valentino Sep 5 #93

I was responding to a specific comment Ms. Toad Sep 5 #94

Yes, I am not disagreeing with what you said--- Jack Valentino Sep 5 #95

The R's plan to hold the US budget negotiations hostage to their proof of identity bill pnwmom Sep 5 #97

Yes, I think you are absolutely right. It is to suppress the votes of women. erronis Sep 6 #120

Not just women, but minorities (especially older minorities). Ms. Toad Sep 6 #123

Yes -- but women are a higher fraction of the population, so R's will cut more votes in that group. pnwmom Sep 6 #127

They aren't limited to one target population per tactic. n/t Ms. Toad Sep 6 #138

Of course they're not. But it's long been known that people of color and Hispanics are targeted, pnwmom Sep 6 #146

I've been discussing it for years. n/t Ms. Toad Sep 6 #153

Good. We need to keep it up, because the message isn't getting through. pnwmom Sep 6 #154

At home births have been followed up by birth certificates for quite awhile. LeftInTX Sep 6 #155

Yes and no. Ms. Toad Sep 6 #156

With the exception of one grandparent, three were from Mexico and never became US citizens. LeftInTX Sep 6 #157

I'm less familiar with the process for recording Mexican births Ms. Toad Sep 6 #158

They were born in the US to non-citizens. His parents, uncles and aunt are all US citizens because they were born here. LeftInTX Sep 6 #159

I'm glad they were able to accomplish it - Ms. Toad Sep 6 #160

Only the passport of RealID proved that you are the person registered and not LiberalArkie Sep 6 #114

That was kind of the reasoning. Ms. Toad Sep 6 #122

Those documents are required to get REAL ID. summer_in_TX Sep 6 #109

Yes, to all this. And if the R's succeed in getting the voter identity bill passed pnwmom Sep 6 #128

I got a next day appointment in Castroville. Bexar County is booked for about a month these days LeftInTX Sep 6 #162

Excellent information! summer_in_TX Sep 6 #163

It's probably getting a bit better. But gosh, it looks like there aren't many sites in the Hill Country. LeftInTX Sep 6 #164

Wouldn't put it past Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and Dan Patrick to have limited access for areas that summer_in_TX Sep 6 #166

The Hill Country is pretty f'ing red. I think they just didn't plan for population growth. LeftInTX Sep 6 #168

A number of years ago, I read that a number of DPS offices were being closed. summer_in_TX Sep 6 #169

They were planning to close a bunch. But I think Covid put a damper on their study. LeftInTX Sep 6 #170

I'm relieved to know that! summer_in_TX Sep 7 #171

That Delphinus Sep 5 #48

Me too JJ101 Sep 5 #21

One of the first things I did when I came back home was to register my DD214 with the county. mucholderthandirt Sep 5 #67

I scanned all my documents and sent them to myself through e-mail so if worse comes to worse, jimfields33 Sep 5 #82

Comedy gold! dpibel Sep 5 #108

My family used a bank safety deposit box for important documents JoseBalow Sep 5 #42

That's OK, unless the banks are shut down. MineralMan Sep 5 #70

Never a bad idea to have a passport on the ready... Chakaconcarne Sep 5 #2

Yes. 10 years. Don't forget to renew. MineralMan Sep 5 #4

Especially if you are a woman who has taken your partner's last name where your birth certificate will not applegrove Sep 5 #5

Yes, I mentioned that in the original post. MineralMan Sep 5 #6

I probably got the info it was an attack on women from you applegrove Sep 5 #59

I am getting my passport babsbunny Sep 5 #7

A passport is an acceptable form of ID LittleGirl Sep 5 #40

You can also use your passport to obtain a Real ID. That's what I used (I think ) LeftInTX Sep 5 #56

Yes. I used mine, along with my vehicle registration. MineralMan Sep 6 #134

Social Security is gonna hurt alot of people! I assume IRS? We also have a few other federal buildings in town. LeftInTX Sep 6 #148

I don't know how much that is enforced. MineralMan Sep 6 #150

I have both and took both to vote in Texas primary LetMyPeopleVote Sep 5 #9

Great advise MineralMan. Prairie_Seagull Sep 5 #10

REAL ID won't work! It is for identity only, not citizenship. More info: OneGrassRoot Sep 5 #11

Not so. Real ID is designed MineralMan Sep 5 #16

One would think so... OneGrassRoot Sep 5 #34

Apparently REAL ID is for both citizens and legal residents -- I did not know this! Surely not state-by-state?! LauraInLA Sep 5 #44

This is why, many years ago, I took back my maiden name. Joinfortmill Sep 5 #38

You can obtain a Real ID without being a US citizen. LeftInTX Sep 5 #57

RealID helps expedite boarding on airlines. Joinfortmill Sep 5 #81

But non-citizens also have passports from their respective countries. Many of them also have driver's licenses. LeftInTX Sep 5 #86

Yup, a passport will get you expedited boarding, too. Not a regular driver's license. Only RealID Joinfortmill Sep 5 #88

People who live in areas of fire danger have evacuation kits at the ready. usonian Sep 5 #12

Well the smart ones do, anyhow. MineralMan Sep 5 #19

If you are in an evacuation zone, and not at home, deputies generally will let you go grab stuff. usonian Sep 5 #31

It's a barrier for poor people. Voltaire2 Sep 5 #13

Also for poorly educated and MineralMan Sep 5 #18

LOL mobeau69 Sep 5 #33

From your lips to God's ears! LauraInLA Sep 5 #45

I did it because of your suggestion. Thank you Mineral Man. Clouds Passing Sep 5 #14

Just curious Mossfern Sep 5 #22

The passport office now requires both parents names be on the bc, mine had neither. Clouds Passing Sep 5 #23

Ah, my friend has a similar problem Mossfern Sep 5 #32

Depending on what state she was born in, she might be able to find herself on Family Search. LeftInTX Sep 5 #87

Thanks Mossfern Sep 5 #103

Have my passport DownriverDem Sep 5 #17

I need to get mine iemanja Sep 5 #20

Yes. For your DL. MineralMan Sep 5 #25

The R's RIGHT NOW are holding the US budget negotiations hostage, pnwmom Sep 5 #99

And if you're a woman who's been married more than once, two more things NotASurfer Sep 5 #24

Don't change your name. MineralMan Sep 5 #27

Yep, seems to be way more trouble than it is worth. TheKentuckian Sep 5 #64

I had to show... Clouds Passing Sep 5 #35

Sage advice. nt moniss Sep 5 #26

I just attempted to get my real ID when renewing my license Mossfern Sep 5 #29

I think the Real ID license requires your full legal name. MineralMan Sep 6 #124

Thanks, but Mossfern Sep 6 #149

The less said about photos, the better. MineralMan Sep 6 #151

I emailed off my passport renewal two weeks ago. Getting the real ID soon BlueWaveNeverEnd Sep 5 #36

My wife and I got real ID larwdem Sep 5 #37

We just talked about it today. Good advice. twodogsbarking Sep 5 #39

Plan ahead COL Mustard Sep 5 #41

Actually, I expect that it will do just that. MineralMan Sep 6 #139

Common sense. I'm adding this to my daily calendar/voting info posts! Wednesdays Sep 5 #43

And while one still can. Better to have them and not need them than the real disaster of needing them. ancianita Sep 5 #46

Indeed. MineralMan Sep 5 #52

If cost isn't a barrier, get a passport card! It's only good for travel to Mexico and Canada, but it fits LauraInLA Sep 5 #47

You can get both MineralMan Sep 5 #53

Oh, of course! I just meant that if you can afford to do the extra card, it's easier to carry everywhere LauraInLA Sep 5 #58

Constitution Speaks2 Sep 5 #49

Ok figure this out. Remember when they said a voter ID had to be a state issued pictured ID. usaf-vet Sep 5 #50

Great advice MineralMan. With these inane policies, we'll be a country where anytime the powers that be can say "Show iluvtennis Sep 5 #51

Passports are not cheap DSandra Sep 5 #54

True. MineralMan Sep 5 #55

Consider them an investment in freedom, mobility & safety. They're good for 10 yrs for adults & 5 yrs for under 15 yrs. ancianita Sep 5 #61

not a solution Cirsium Sep 5 #60

The poll tax keeps going up. Passports are far from free. TheKentuckian Sep 5 #65

I thought a poll tax was declared unconstituional by the Supreme Court. CTyankee Sep 5 #71

This is a backdoor one. In order to access the franchise a person needs to pay for the Passport TheKentuckian Sep 5 #74

OF COURSE, it is a effectively a poll tax! Isn't this being litigated as just that? CTyankee Sep 5 #76

Exactly Cirsium Sep 5 #78

Passports take 3-4 weeks. I just got mine renewed. Expedited passports can be obtained within days. The country is up ancianita Sep 5 #89

I'm not going to make anything happen. MineralMan Sep 6 #126

Not about you Cirsium Sep 6 #135

But you are replying TO me. MineralMan Sep 6 #136

Seriously? Cirsium Sep 6 #141

What I post is a representation of what I think. MineralMan Sep 6 #142

OK Cirsium Sep 6 #147

I'm not getting a passport arlyellowdog Sep 5 #62

Thank you for that Cirsium Sep 6 #143

The passport is the closest document to prove your citizenship ... aggiesal Sep 5 #63

You are a US citizen if you are born in the US. Unless you renounce your citizenship..... LeftInTX Sep 5 #90

Right that is why a birth certificate is not a document that proves your a citizen n/t aggiesal Sep 5 #104

It proves you are a citizen if it is a US birth certificate. LeftInTX Sep 5 #105

And how do you know they haven't renounced their citizenship? ... aggiesal Sep 5 #106

Same with a passport. LeftInTX Sep 5 #107

Not at all. You can only be a US citizen to get a passport ... aggiesal Sep 6 #110

Well, Oswald didn't.. LeftInTX Sep 6 #111

If you read this State Department document ... aggiesal Sep 6 #112

I hate that you're right. All that paperwork is a defacto poll tax. Bucky Sep 5 #66

Ours are good until 2028 (I just checked, thanks to you) . In 2018 I insisted we update ours... Hekate Sep 5 #68

Can the bdamomma Sep 5 #69

I am waiting for my MN enhanced drivers license..... a kennedy Sep 5 #72

You may be waiting a while. OldBaldy1701E Sep 6 #116

Damn, and ya it was expensive.....it's been 4 weeks already. 😡 😡 😡 a kennedy Sep 6 #119

If a case like gets appealed to the current SCOTUS, they'll make actual flat-out poll taxes "constitutional" RidinWithHarris Sep 5 #75

Thank you for reminding us! ailsagirl Sep 5 #77

If Trump somehow wins, having your passport may help ensure you are not deported, though that's not a guarantee. LonePirate Sep 5 #79

I think you're right. nt Frank D. Lincoln Sep 5 #100

BIRTH CERTIFICATE - that thing your parents got from the hospital with the cute little footprint IS NOT a birth progree Sep 5 #83

Absolutely true radical noodle Sep 5 #85

The old microfiche one is no longer accepted either. LeftInTX Sep 5 #91

When I got my real ID in Florida radical noodle Sep 5 #84

I cannot vote without my drivers license. Ferrets are Cool Sep 5 #92

Georgia has been issuing Real ID-compliant driver's licenses since 2012 Pinback Sep 5 #96

Those "documentation hoops" are higher for married women who have changed their surnames. pnwmom Sep 5 #98

Yep -- any name discrepancies or address changes make it harder Pinback Sep 6 #121

Agreed! And isn't Real ID required to fly domestically in the US? CaptainTruth Sep 5 #101

Oh, the problems Republicans cause. Frank D. Lincoln Sep 5 #102

I just got a passport! LostOne4Ever Sep 6 #113

Excellent Advice beemerphill Sep 6 #115

Great advice PJMcK Sep 6 #117

Great, except for the bank safe deposit box. MineralMan Sep 6 #140

It wouldn't hurt to lock down w yubikeys, encrypted Proton email BrightKnight Sep 6 #118

Uggh. Well I have all my papers ecstatic Sep 6 #125

You do realize that none of that HAS to happen, provided... Frank D. Lincoln Sep 6 #137

Plus, you might want to get the fuck out Mysterian Sep 6 #129

We have them Keepthesoulalive Sep 6 #130

I don't have an answer for that, really. MineralMan Sep 6 #132

I like to travel abroad. I need both. Martin68 Sep 6 #131

Yes. Not everyone is in that situation, though. MineralMan Sep 6 #133

Ask for a provisional ballot if they question you. The requirements differ by state. flying_wahini Sep 6 #144

Fortunately, some of us live in states where voter suppression bs is not a problem. Sneederbunk Sep 6 #145

I'm in Texas. What is a real ID? I thought it was your DL? Catherine Vincent Sep 6 #152

Check your DL for a gold star. Check the expiration date too. LeftInTX Sep 6 #161

Thanks Catherine Vincent Sep 6 #165

Kick and triple kick - GOOD advice. KentuckyWoman Sep 6 #167