I myself opted for a regular state ID. Although I was thinking that I may just get a U.S. Passport (renewal) and just use my passport as my "real ID" and not bother renewing my State ID in the future. After all a U.S. Passport doesn't cost much more than the "real IDs", and it allows me to travel outside the U.S. as well as inside. Since a U.S. passport counts as a "real ID" when it comes to flying or voting, it is more all purpose than any state ID.

Of course I believe the "real ID" laws are being implemented mostly to make it harder for some people to vote. The "real IDs" cost a lot more than a regular state ID, which means a lot of poorer people won't be getting them because they can't afford the costs, and poverty disproportionately affects people of color more than it does "white" persons. It is a devious way to reduce people of color from being able to vote. I see it as a retooling of the old "poll tax".

I've lived in CA, OR and WA states and all of them used electronic finger prints as a part of the application process when getting an ID. Logic would say that the fingerprint should be able to provide proper identity, but here in WA, they are also doing the real ID crap too. Only they are saying that with real ID you can visit and return to Canada without a passport.

Because I am partially (and legally) blind, I don't drive, and passing a driver's test isn't required to get an ID. However, when I lived in California, there were some businesses that would not accept a state ID to confirm identity when I wanted to write a check. Of course today I just use a credit card for purchases and electronically pay the bill in full each month, so that would not be an issue today.

Anyway, I was about to do my passport renewal, then the pandemic hit. I knew i wasn't going anywhere, so I put it off. I'll probably send ti in sometime this summer. You know, since i don't drive, and I haven't been carded since I was 50 (ten years ago), and because in Oregon and Washington states we vote by mail, I don't really see much of a need to even carry an ID, unless I am traveling.

I recently applied for a state refund of some money, they asked to see a copy of my wedding certificate. So I emailed a photograph, which should be enough, since my wife has been dead more than twenty years, and they can always verify it at the town hall offices where they issued it anyway. But no, they wanted to have the original, so I sent them that. They then sent it me back. Then they asked to see it again, and again. Three times it has been back and forth, this time they seem to have kept it, but still no payment.

Get a passport.

While my parents were alive their bank used to make me show multiple IDs to cash checks for less than one thousand dollars (I had no accounts there but they knew me by name). When my dad was terminally ill they made it almost impossible for me to get into the safety box to retrieve his DNR papers even though I was authorized to access it. When my parents passed they kissed my ass and I told the manager that I would never keep a penny more at their institution than necessary and to go pound sand.

The bank I use has always treated me well both in person and through their main customer phone line. Good customer service is sadly a rarity now.

I've just renewed mine in Spain.
I phoned for an appointment and next day went to an authorised medical test centre, (they are all over the place.) and had my blood pressure, hearing and vision (with glasses if needed) tested. I confirmed my address and handed over my old licence, in exchange recieving a temporary paper permit, valid for 6 weeks. It took less than an hour, start to finish.
A fortnight later my new photographic and micro-chipped licence arrived in the post.

I feel your pain. Iowa is almost as redneck and politically red as MO, but even here, I doubt they license renewal station would put me thru that much bullshit. But I appreciate your share and will heed it when my turn comes in a year and a half. I will bring one of my electric bills with me, just in case..

And this is the land of the free.

Now think how hard it is for the poor or homeless person to get an ID or drivers license. They are making things like this as hard and frustrating as possible, so more and more people will just give up and say "fuck it" I don't need it. Another great way to keep people from voting as well.