WASHINGTON— Rep. Randy Fine (R) is pushing for government issued REAL ID cards to be use for everyone who intends or attempts to vote in any state or federal election.
Every election cycle, election integrity becomes a hot button issue. Republicans claim that ID cards should be required for every voter to prevent illegal voters from influencing the ballot box, and Democrats accuse Republicans of voter suppression and racism, for wanting voters to prove they are who they are before they cast their vote.
“So, there is an idea that I am advocating for. “In order to vote, you have to show a real ID,” said Rep. Fine in an interview with The Floridian. “Real IDs are already required to get on airplanes. Democrats don't hoot and holler and say it's racist to show a real ID to get on a plane.”
Rep. Fine who believes the country needs “to move towards free and fair elections” continued, saying that showing a REAL ID to vote is attainable, adding that eventually a legal immigration status disclaimer could be added to the identification card.
“They (Democrats) don't say it's impossible for people to get a real ID, you know why? Because it's not. So the idea would be you have to show a real ID to vote,” he added.
Will REAL ID eventually identify who is a citizen and who isn’t?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), REAL ID cards are a integral and “vital component of our national security framework.
“The other thing would be to change the real ID over time to put a citizen versus non-citizen disclaimer on those so you would know, because apparently people in the country legally can get a real ID,” he added So, simply having a real ID would not prove that you're an American, but this is a way to move down, move the ball down the field,” Fine concluded.
While Republican lawmakers like Rep. Mike Haridopolos like their chances in the 2026 midterm elections, the current state of affairs in the country could favor Democrats, who will look to impeach President Trump if they win control of the lower chamber.
