Nevada residents line up to speak against Real ID

Las Vegas residents lined up Friday to let Department of Motor Vehicle administrators know exactly how they feel about its new high-security driver’s license.

Some claimed it is unconstitutional, others believe it will lead to private information landing in a national database, and a few argued the new card, best known as Real I D , is the first step toward martial law.

“We don’t need the bureaucrats getting all this information about us,” Dan Hickey said during a video conference attended by residents in Las Vegas, Carson City and Elko. “It’s a waste of our time and it’s a waste of your time.”

The DMV accepted public comments that will be passed on to the Legislative Counsel’s subcommittee on Wednesday . The department is recommending that a two-card proposal be put into place, meaning residents can obtain the standard driver’s license they now carry or the new “gold star” card.

If approved, the new regulations would expire in January and the federally mandated Real I D would go into effect unless state lawmakers pass permanent legislation blocking it. Nevada is one of nine states complying with the federal act designed to thwart terrorists’ efforts to obtain fraudulent driver’s licenses.

After Gov. Jim Gibbons’ executive order, motorists were forced to apply for the Real I D , which requires applicants to produce a birth certificate, a Social Security card and proof of residency. Women have been further inconvenienced by the rule forcing them to show documentation proving each name change.

To renew a standard driver’s license, motorists simply bring their expired card to the DMV.

“The two-card option is truly two cards and they will be handled differently,” said Debbie Wilson, a DMV executive.

Opponents of the new card said the DMV has no right to take possession of documents that show every marriage and consequently every name change a woman has endured.

“You all are getting way, way too powerful,” said Cathie Lynn Profant. “You will know every minute of this person’s life from the day they were born. You have no right to know these things.”

Robert Ruckman, chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, said he believes a national database is currently being built and data will include a person’s medical history, financial records, political affiliation and voting record, even their religious affiliations.

“This is definitely unconstitutional,” said Las Vegas resident Jerry Ernst. “How you can do it, I don’t know.”