Kathleen McGee

Recently Maine caved in to the federal government, implementing legislation taking steps to comply with the federal Real ID act. State officials did so hesitantly, offering the minimum to be in compliance, thus getting an extension to meet further requirements.

Donna Bendiksen of Portland and Kathleen McGee of Bowdoinham have both submitted people’s veto applications to repeal the act, saying that the law represents the first step toward guaranteed full compliance with the law.

They have submitted separate applications, but are working together. They need to gather 55,087 signatures before the veto can move forward.

They did this independently, but the Maine Civil Liberties Union has their back.

The law, designed to increase the security of driver’s licenses, requires proof of legal residency – a means to keep illegal immigrants from getting licenses. The bill passed with much opposition in the Legislature last month.

Without this extension, Mainers’ driver’s licenses would not have been good at airports and federal buildings, and residents would have had to undergo extra security checks.