JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Next time you get a new driver\u2019s license or state ID in Florida, you could notice some changes. <\/p>\n
Specifically, you may see an indicator identifying you as a US citizen. <\/p>\n
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/a><\/p>\n The proposal is part of a bill<\/a> that cleared its first committee in the Florida Senate on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The bill would mandate the citizenship markers on all new IDs issued beginning on July 1st of next year. <\/p>\n Bill sponsor State Senator Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce) argued it will make it easier for election officials to determine voting eligibility.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we are certain that they are not a non-citizen being involved with our elections,\u201d Grall said.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not clear what the citizenship indicator may look like in Florida.<\/p>\n In the five states that currently offer \u201cenhanced diver\u2019s licenses,\u201d which include citizenship markers, a US flag is commonly used.<\/p>\n In those states, which all border Canada, the markers are intended to ease border crossings.<\/p>\n But Maria Garcia with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance said she suspects a more nefarious intent behind the Florida proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that when right off the bat a bill is introduced, and the general public and the media is calling the bill a scarlet letter, you\u2019re getting into very scary territory,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n Floridians we spoke with agreed the labels could lead to discrimination.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it automatically makes a person judgmental against you,\u201d Orlando resident Darnice Hughes said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really shows that you don\u2019t belong or somethings different about you,\u201d Duval resident Jutluka Hernandez said.<\/p>\n During the hearing on Wednesday, concerns were also raised about another provision in the bill that would require proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote or updates their voter registration.<\/p>\n The same requirements would apply when a person updates information on their driver\u2019s license or state-issued ID starting in July of this year.<\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n Voting rights groups argued the requirement could disenfranchise thousands of legal US citizens in Florida who don\u2019t have access to documentation like original birth certificates or valid passports.<\/p>\n \u201cMany Floridians do not have these documents readily available, and obtaining replacements can be costly and time- consuming,\u201d Brad Ashwell with All Voting is Local said.<\/p>\n But Grall noted a REAL ID-compliant ID also suffices as proof of citizenship.<\/p>\n [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter<\/a>] <\/p>\n \u201c99 percent of IDs used by Floridians in the state right now are REAL ID compliant,\u201d Grall said. \u201dIf you have a valid REAL ID and you are a citizen, you should not have to reprove it.\u201d<\/p>\n The bill still has two more committee stops in the Senate before reaching the floor.<\/p>\n A similar bill in the House<\/a> has one more committee stop before it will be ready for a floor vote.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here<\/a> to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here<\/a> to stream Action News Jax live.<\/p>\n Action News Jax Top Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Next time you get a new driver\u2019s license or state ID in Florida, you 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