Oregon DMV and elections officials cite no problems with new county ID program

This 2017 file photo shows the headquarters of Oregon's Driver and Motor Vehicles Division in Salem. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky)

Oregon DMV and elections officials said on Tuesday that a new plan for Hood River County to issue identification cards does not run afoul of any state laws.

Hood River County commissioners voted on Monday to launch a pilot program to issue county identification cards to people who might have difficulty obtaining other forms of identification, such as immigrants, homeless people and youth who were in the foster system, according to a press release from Gorge Ecumenical Ministries.

According to the religious group, the county will be the first in the Northwest to have a local identification card program. Gorge Ecumenical Ministries, which helped develop the proposal, said that unspecified changes in federal law have made it more difficult or impossible for some people to obtain state-issued identification.

David House, a spokesman for Oregon DMV, said the agency doesn't have a position on local governments issuing identification cards.

"I don't think there's any statute that says you can't issue ID," House said, adding that other entities such as schools and military bases issue identification. At the same time, no public or private entities are obligated to accept any particular type of identification including state driver's licenses and U.S. passports, House said.

The news of Hood River County's decision was a surprise to House, who said he had not heard of it.

House didn't know what changes in federal law would have made it more difficult for some people to obtain identification as Gorge Ecumenical Ministries claimed, since state lawmakers already addressed issues for immigrants enrolled is federal programs this year. The chair of the Hood River County Commission could not be reached regarding the question on Tuesday evening.

Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature passed a law allowing the DMV to renew and replace a limited-term driver's license the state has been issuing to immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program and Temporary Protected Status program.

Oregon Elections Director Steve Trout said the county identification program would not have any implications for voter registration, because residents are not required to provide identification when they register to vote. People "just have to attest that you are at least (age) 16 and a citizen" to register, Trout wrote in an email, although citizens cannot vote until they turn 18. The state's automatic voter registration program only registers people who have provided proof of citizenship at the DMV.

-- Hillary Borrud

503-294-4034; @hborrud

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