WASHINGTON

State Information on Real ID

News

"Driver's License: Real ID, Real Pain," Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial, January 17, 2008.  Online>

"Real ID a Threat to Civil Liberties," The Longview Daily News, January 13, 2007. Online>

Washington Enacts Bill Rejecting Real ID Act!

The bill (SB 5087), sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen and signed by the Governor, prohibits the state from implementing Real ID unless it is funded by the federal government and includes privacy protections.

Read the bill text here (PDF).

Read the ACLU of Washington's Press Release here.

Another bill (SJM 8005), sponsered by Sen. Val Steves, calls on the federal government to repeal Real ID entirely.

Read the bill text here (PDF).
Check status here.

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"Throwing Out Real ID Law a Good Idea," Longview Daily News, November 6, 2007.  Online >

"State Legislature Revolts Against Real ID Program," Tacoma News Tribune, June 7, 2007.  Online >

"Back to Drawing Board for Flawed ID System," Everett Herald Editorial, April 20, 2007.  Online >

"Gregoire Signs Bill Rejecting National ID Card," Associated Press, April 18, 2007. Online >

"Keep Opposing Federal ID Plan," Longview Daily News Editorial, April 7, 2007.  Online >

"Legislators Challenge Bush on Driver's Licenses," Associated Press, April 6, 2007. Online >

"WA Senate Approves Real ID Delay Measure," Associated Press, March 6, 2007.  Online >

"Real ID Answers Need - and the Feds Should Pay for it," Yakima Times-Herald, February 13, 2007.  Online >

"New driver's license system short-sighted," Daily News, Longview, WA, September 23, 2006.  Online >

National survey of motor vehicles administrators uncovers deep concern over Real ID across the nation.  Washington officials' response to the survey is available here.

"Feds Urged to Repeal New ID Law," The Columbian, January 26, 2006.  Online >

"A Simple Gesture," Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial, January 25, 2006
"We encourage both House and Senate to approve Nixon's memorial. It may be a gesture, but it's a worthy message decrying overreaching federal authority."  Online >

Mossback: "Real IDiocy," Seattle Weekly Column, January 18, 2006.
"The people of Washington should get ready for a new federal program as well run as FEMA and only slightly less intrusive than surveillance by the NSA..." Online >

"Driver's License: Real ID, Real Pain," Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial, January 17, 2006.
"...If the objective is to create a national ID card, that prospect should be widely and publicly debated." Online >

Washington State Estimates High Costs for Implementing Real ID
The State Department of Licensing put the initial costs for implementing Real ID at $50 million a year, and also indicated that fees for obtaining licenses would have to be raised.  Department of Licensing Press Release (May 17, 2005); Online >

Legislation

SB 5087
Text of Bill (PDF) >
Status >

SJM 8005
Text of Bill (PDF)>
Status>

Documents

Washington officials' response to national survey of DMV's on problems posed by Real ID is available here. 

Action

Washington residents, send a message to your state legislator today!

For more information

ACLU of Washington