Rick of Winslow, ME Yea - it does seem silly to provide an electric bill, for example, as proof of residency. Since the actual implementation date isn't until 2014 or so, I think changes will be made to the entire program. The government isn't known to act quickly on these things. Working for the federal gov't in VA, I see this all the time.report abuse

richard Orsino of Gorham, ME Rick,

What I meant to say is many states have already been doing what many states have been doing well before 9/11 such as this directly from the post article....."It requires, for example, that states verify applicants' citizenship status, check identity documents such as birth certificates, and cross-check information with other states and the federal government." I have lived in Washington and Colorado before moving to Maine last year and both states required me to furnish a birth certificate and social security card to obtain my drivers license in those states. I could not believe when I moved to Maine that they would not accept my Colorado license with my birth certificate and social security card. I had to return to motor vehicles a week later and had to show two copies of utiliy bills. Seems they could care less if I was a US citizen and were more concerned with whether or not I had cable. To me this seems insane. The only thing they cared about was not whether or not I was a US citizen but with being a Maine resident. To be a Maine resident you have to show to utiliy bills. Why should people bother to get a fake Id? It would be eaiser to get a cell phone and cable service then come to Maine to get a drivers license.report abuse

Rick of Winslow, ME Richard -

Please go to Washingtonpost.com and read the following article:

States Maneuver to avoid penalties of new federal ID program

No State has implemented Real ID - especially not before 9/11 as this wasn't even the works back then.

There are 17 States that have passed legislation opposing or opting-out of Real ID although 46 have requested the extension prior to the March 31st deadline. The four States (SC, MT, VT and ME) passed legislation specifically opposing participation in the program although DHS granted a waiver to MT and VT without their approval.

But - you can go to the article for the full update.report abuse

richard Orsino of Gorham, ME This state is so behind the times that even the local new anchors are reporting this incorrectly. There is not going to be any national ID card. States will still be issuing their own drivers licenses. In fact, several states have been real ID compliant long before 9/11 and will continue to issue the same drivers licenses. The requirements are as follows....You will need to show proof of US citizenship by showing a state issued birth certificate(some states used to honor city/town and even hospital birth certificates.) You will also need to present something with a social security number on it such as a social security card. Third, the state needs to match thier state records with the NDR(national driver registry) to eliminate the possibility of someone holding a duplicate license in another state. It's so strange how hype can get out of hand when rumers start to get out of control but is's really inexcusible when the local media does not even report this correctly.report abuse