Keeping Your Right To Vote By Updating ID Cards

If you or a family member are thinking about giving up the keys to the car, but don’t want to give up your right to vote, AARP Wyoming wants you to know the process you follow as you transition from driver’s license to ID card while maintaining your voting right.

In 2020 the Wyoming Legislature passed legislation requiring a driver's license, or other state-issued identification to vote in Wyoming elections. Nationally 1-in-5 adults over the age of 65 do not have a driver's license according to the Brennan Justice Center, Wyoming-specific data is not available.

For that reason, AARP Wyoming negotiated the ability to use a Medicare card as Voter ID for older adults without a driver's license into the bill. However, the ability to show a Medicare or Medicaid card for Voter ID goes away in 2030, making it important to procure a state-issued ID card to continue voting.

In Wyoming, we renew our driver’s licenses every five years and state-issued identification cards every eight years. You can renew your license via mail once every other renewal, or go to the local Driver Services Exam station in-person for a new photo every five.

Misty Zimmerman is the Program Manager of Driver Services in Wyoming for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). She says the transition to a state-issued ID card is easy, and offered a few tips for working through the process.

First and foremost, if you have questions, call WYDOT: WYDOT has a call center for issues around driver’s licenses or ID cards and are happy to help. That number is 307-777-4800. Most issues can be stemmed in advance with a phone call. Even better news is you can avoid a long wait in line with a simple call.

If you are no longer driving and still have a valid driver’s license: Either bring your license to a WYDOT Driver Services location or mail it to WYDOT Driver Services (5300 Bishop Boulevard, Cheyenne, WY 82009) and tell WYDOT specifically you are surrendering your license and you would like a free ID card. WYDOT will issue you a free ID card that only needs to be updated every eight years. If obtaining your ID card through the mail, WYDOT can use the same photo on your ID card that you have on your driver’s license.

If you are no longer driving, still have an expired driver’s license and would like an ID card:  You can reach out to WYDOT either in-person, through the mail, and ask for a free ID card. Once again, in-person and mail-in’s may get you a free ID card. WYDOT can cancel the old license and send a new ID card. Federal requirements require a new photo every six years.

If you haven’t had a Wyoming Driver’s License, but want an ID card for voting purposes: Because federal rules require a REAL ID, you will need to prove where you live, who you are, and that you are a citizen. However, if you have those documents, WYDOT will issue a free state ID card for voting purposes only. If you’ve got questions around what those documents might be, click here.

What if you haven’t had a license for a long time and need an ID card: Starting in 2010, the federal government required WYDOT to scan documents that we use to get our driver’s license. As long as you had a license after 2010, WYDOT likely still has your documents on-file and can help you get an ID card. If you are unsure, you can check with the Driver Services (307-777-4800) for specifics.

What if my loved one can’t get to WYDOT? Zimmerman reports WYDOT is willing to work with anyone to help them get identification. There may be circumstances by which someone who is affiliated with an individual (caregiver, family member, nursing home, etc) can receive permission to work on someone’s behalf to get an ID. WYDOT is willing to have those conversations.

“The message is to reach out to us and we will do whatever we can to work with you or your loved one,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman reports WYDOT is in the middle of modernizing their current computer system, which was implemented in 1986 and once the new system is up-and-running next summer, there will be vastly more services you can access on WYDOT’s website.

To contact WYDOT’s Driver Services, call 307-777-4800.