[Ayatollahgondola]

I'm sure most of you know I visit many state offices to conduct SOS business. I have noticed an alarming, and hypocritical trend lately. State public buildings that require an ID to enter. Today it was the building downtown where the state parks are headquartered. I went to buy a state park pass. Not big deal, and certainly not a secured area like a military installation, but after passing through a checkpoint beyond the doors, I ran head on into a security team at a desk that asked my business. I told them I was here to buy a park pass for a year, and they told me the office closed at 4. I then saw the sign that all "visitors" must show ID and sign in. I asked what the heck was the deal with that, because this was a public building and all. They were a bit terse, and said that I had to present ID to proceed. I asked what if I don't have one, and would they stop me from entering. They answered a question with a question, and I drilled them a bit more, and said I'd return monday for the pass.

This was not my first time either. I ran into this at the secretary of state's office recently while coming to review records they had compiled for a request I made. I told them I was here to view public records and that I had no ID on me, but that I was a citizen of the state of California. They balked at first, and then asked me to sign in, which I did, after all they knew I was coming and all.

The thought that you have to show an ID to enter a public building that is not a military or other sensitive type area is a bit unsettling. Especially coming from a state that fights tooth and nail against ID's for voters (the Secretary of State's office is where you can register to vote, file candidate papers, and inspect election materials.

this is not a practice we should accept, and I urge everyone here to consider rejecting it. Just go to these places without your ID's on you and state that you are a citizen of the state, and that public buildings should be open to everyone without fear the government collecting personal information about those visiting.