State CIOs Advocate for Unified Digital Identity to Enhance Online Verification
State Chief Information Officers (CIOs) across the United States are advocating for a unified approach to digital identity verification. This initiative, led by J.R. Sloan, President of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and Arizona CIO, aims to streamline the process of verifying residents' identities online. Sloan emphasized the importance of a unified digital ID system to improve the online experience for residents, allowing them to conduct all government-related business through a single portal. Currently, 22 states have implemented some form of mobile driver's license (mDL), which is seen as a foundational step towards broader digital identity solutions. However, adoption rates remain low, with only about 7% of the population in these states using mDLs. The goal is to increase this number to between 16% and 22% to encourage businesses and agencies to invest in the necessary technology to accept these digital credentials. 
