Final answer:
In West Virginia, renewing a driver's license requires the current ID and proof of residency. Legal name changes require additional proof. Voting laws and ID requirements also intersect with driver's license procedures, potentially impacting voter turnout.
Step-by-step explanation:
To renew a driver's license or ID card with no changes, applicants in West Virginia must provide their current driver's license or ID card, the renewal application, and one proof of West Virginia residency document with name and physical address. If there is a change in address since the last card, two proofs of WV residency documents are required. Legal name changes necessitate providing proof of the new name.
Related to voter registration, the provision of identification and proof of residency can be a crucial aspect of the process. Laws such as the Real ID Act of 2005 and subsequent state laws have outlined the necessity for standardized security features in state-issued identification to increase homeland security. In addition, these laws may intersect with voter registration processes. For example, moving requires a voter to update their registration, sometimes through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in order to maintain valid voter status in their new location.
When it comes to voting identification laws, there has been contention regarding their impact on certain demographic groups. Some argue that obtaining a photo ID can be costly and burdensome, which may disproportionately affect groups like the elderly and minorities. Recognizing these challenges, some states have offered low-cost or free identification for the purposes of voting and are helping with the completion of registration applications.