Democrats support photo ID to dine out in D.C. but oppose it for voting absentee

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser is set to require photo identification and a vaccine passport to dine out or work out in the nation's capital — even as her party vows parliamentary scorched earth to power through a national ban on requiring photo ID — or any documentary proof of identity — to vote absentee.

Effective Saturday, Washington, D.C. institutes one of the most restrictive COVID-19 mandates in the nation, requiring all patrons over the age of 18 to show photo identification, while ages 12 and up must show proof of vaccination before visiting most indoor establishments.

The D.C. photo ID requirement comes into effect just as President Biden has endorsed scrapping the Senate filibuster so that his party can force through on a party-line, 51-50 vote election overhaul legislation outlawing requirements "to submit any form of identifying document as a condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot."

Under the patchwork of new D.C. restrictions and preferences governing freedom of movement, people will not be required to show ID and a vax card to enter grocery stores, places of worship and government offices. They will, however, need to show their documents for indoor restaurants, gyms, theaters and other entertainment venues. Mask requirements are also still in place.