AUGUSTA (AP) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has told Maine officials that the state will no longer receive any extensions to comply with the federal REAL ID law.
The letter indicates the federal government will not accept Maine state IDs or drivers’ licenses as identification starting in January and Maine travelers will have to provide an alternative form of identification to fly on a plane a year later.
Maine passed a law in 2007 refusing to comply with REAL ID and it appears as if the state has run out of options for further delays.
The federal law requires digital photos on licenses that can be used with facial recognition software and a state-maintained database that includes personal information on residents. It also calls for federal-approved security markings on licenses.
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