Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Iowa driver’s licenses would have to show whether the person is a US citizen or legal resident if a bill that’s cleared a House subcommittee becomes law.
Lori Stiles of Johnston is a volunteer with Iowa Canvassing, a group that reviewed voter rolls in 60 Iowa counties and challenged thousands of registrations. She says since people are able to register on Election Day at their polling place, having citizen printed on the back of a driver’s license makes sense.
Stiles, who has been a poll worker since 2008, says while voters are required to show a photo ID, they are not required to show proof of citizenship during Election Day voting.
Critics say the bill could lead to discrimination and harassment of people who are legal residents, but not U.S. citizens. Storm O’Brink of North Liberty says immigrants are terrified in the current political climate.
Amy Campbell is a lobbyist for Lutheran Social Services which helps refugees resettle in Iowa. She says driver’s licenses are used for so much more than voting.
The Iowa DOT issues driver’s licenses and identification cards to citizens and legal residents of the country. Minnesota and four other states along the Canadian border offer enhanced driver’s licenses to serve as an ID as well as proof of US citizenship. These enhanced licenses — which are more expensive than a standard driver’s license — can be used in place of a US Passport for re-entry from certain countries, like Canada.
