'No excuse': Bipartisan fury erupts over New Jersey's REAL ID backlog

Fox News - Apr 26th, 2025

New Jersey is grappling with a surge in demand for REAL ID-compliant licenses as the deadline for mandatory use for air travel approaches, leading to widespread frustration among residents and lawmakers. Assemblymember Nancy Muñoz and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald criticize the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) for being unprepared, with appointments disappearing quickly and residents forced to travel long distances. Greenwald plans to introduce a bill to enable online applications, similar to neighboring Pennsylvania, to alleviate the backlog and streamline the process.

The REAL ID Act, a federal mandate signed in 2005, requires enhanced identification for domestic flights, but implementation delays have caused confusion. New Jersey's low compliance rates are partly attributed to the availability of

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the challenges New Jersey residents face in obtaining REAL IDs, supported by statements from lawmakers and operational details from the MVC. It is timely and relevant, addressing a pressing issue with potential implications for travel and government service delivery. However, the article could benefit from a broader range of sources and more detailed transparency regarding data and methodology. While it presents a balanced view of political perspectives, it lacks a comprehensive response from the MVC or state officials, which could provide a fuller picture of the situation. Overall, the article is clear and engaging, with the potential to drive public discourse and influence policy discussions.

Accuracy

The article presents factual claims about the challenges New Jersey residents face in obtaining REAL IDs, supported by statements from state lawmakers and comparisons with other states. The claim that New Jersey ranks last in REAL ID compliance among surveyed states is specific and significant, though it requires verification through the CBS News survey data. The article accurately reflects the complexity of the issue, including the operational aspects of the MVC and legislative responses. However, some claims, such as the exact number of REAL IDs processed weekly, need further verification from official MVC reports.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspectives of New Jersey lawmakers and the challenges faced by residents. While it includes statements from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, it lacks input from the MVC or other state officials, aside from a brief statement. This creates a slight imbalance, as the article focuses more on criticisms without offering a detailed defense or explanation from the MVC or Governor's office.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow from the introduction of the issue to the perspectives of lawmakers and the operational challenges faced by the MVC. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of an unrelated claim about New Jersey's traffic laws could confuse readers about the article's focus.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from state lawmakers and a spokesperson from the MVC, which are credible sources for the topic. However, it lacks a broader range of sources, such as independent experts or residents affected by the REAL ID process. The reliance on a single media outlet (Fox News Digital) for both reporting and commentary could potentially limit the diversity of perspectives.

Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about the methodology of the CBS News survey mentioned or the specific data supporting claims about appointment availability and processing times. While it cites lawmakers and an MVC spokesperson, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or provide clear explanations of the basis for all claims, such as the comparison with Pennsylvania's system.