Going on a two month exercise in futility!
Red States making it harder to obtain ID. . . .change that to almost impossible!
First thing to keep in mind is if you or your older loved ones (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, etc) do not have an actual physical social security card they will not be able to register to vote or get an ID card/drivers license of any kind. Everything is contingent upon having that ss card, not just knowing the number. Birth certificate, not enough and not acceptable.
Don't make the mistake of going to the SS Office to get it. Do it on line. It takes the same amount of time for the card to arrive if you go in person or not. Save yourself the trip and apply on line. Here's the deal about getting a replacement SS card, you have to have a driver's license or State ID card to get one. Don't have one of those ID's, sorry no can do.
It is interesting that the State requires a SS card (not acceptable as ID anywhere) before you can get an ID Card or Driver's license and then the SS Office requires a Driver's license or State ID Card in order to get a replacement SS card. Nice catch 22.
Something about right hand not knowing what left hand is doing, eh? Or is it just a huge obstacle placed in the way of people getting ID?
So birth certificate in hand I was told at the SS office they don' accept or use birth certificates for any verification of anything. Nice.
I was able to pass off one acceptable (not acceptable form of a copy of my ID) to the SS person and he assured me in two or so weeks my new SS card will arrive in the mail. So protect your SS card and make sure you have it in a safe place. And seriously, make sure your older loved ones have theirs and if not, help them get a replacement online.
So, in theory. . . when the SS card arrives I can then get a driver's license and a state ID card (yeah, I am thinking I should get both, probably some rule against that too). And for goodness sakes, don't let your Driver's License expire because it is not acceptable as ID for anything once it expires.
I think that the Repug legislatures know very well what they have done and it is very likely that many, many older citizens who might want to register to vote will not be able or willing to go through all of this hassle to get acceptable ID.
JMO
Thoroughly frustrated Shirl