deadline to run for office in 2026.

Is this Friday, January 9th.

This week, Kentucky rolled out the state's first digital ID platform.

Kentuckians can now download an app on their mobile device to have a digital version of their ID.

Our Emily Sisk caught up with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to learn more.

>> Thank you Laura.

Here now is Nate Morris with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet here to talk all about the new digital ID.

So we want to ask what is the purpose of this mobile ID and how can folks use it?

>> Sure.

Well, we're really excited to be able to offer this to Kentuckians as an optional, convenient way to verify their identity.

So Kentucky Mobile ID is the state's first digital ID that we're offering and basically has all the the the benefits of your driver's license in terms of verifying your identification.

But you have it in the convenience of your phone.

Everything's on your phone.

And so now your your license can be too.

The real benefit of this is you can use it at airport, airport security checkpoint.

So same way you would use a digital boarding pass to make things easier.

Don't have to dig through bags.

Same thing here.

You can present your digital license to TSA and be able to to get through if you've got a real ID license.

>> I want to ask, you know, some people are skeptical about putting personal information on their cell phones, whether it's, you know, credit cards or their license.

But Governor Beshear said that actually, this mobile ID should help protect against identity theft.

So what makes it a safe option?

>> Sure.

Well, privacy and security are extremely important to us, and we're working with the card vendor who has done this with several other states with success.

You have to unlock it using your face or touch ID or unique pin that you set.

So even if your phone were to be lost or stolen, someone couldn't just get into the app.

Even if they were able to unlock your phone, they're even in the enrollment process.

You have to prove your life liveness by doing a series of kind of tests on the app to even enroll for it, and this is more secure in that a wallet can get lost or stolen, and someone can take that physical card and use it, pretending to be you.

Well, with this digital ID, it's it's way less likely for someone.

It's very difficult for some to pretend to be you because of all the safeguards and tests that ping against our state system to prove that it is actually you.

>> And as we understand the digital ID, it's not meant to take the place of physical license.

Right?

So if you're at a traffic stop or you got pulled over, police are still going to expect you to have your card.

This kind of just is something supplemental.

Is that right?

>> That's right.

So for law enforcement interactions you will still need to have your physical card with you.

Think about about it like your payment apps that people use to tap and pay at when they check out.

You still leave the home with your credit or debit card with you just in case.

Same thing.

You're always going to want to have your card with you even if you get the mobile ID, okay.

>> I see.

And so finally, for folks who are at home, if they're watching this and say, okay, I want to get started, what is the app that they download?

Is there any cost associated with it?

>> You can just go to your phone's app store or Google Play to download it for free.

It's Kentucky mobile ID we encourage folks who are interested to go ahead and get it right.

>> Well, we love free.

Absolutely, so that's great to hear.

Now, Tori with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, thank you for telling us all about this new mobile ID.

>> Thank you.

>> All right.

Thank you Emily.

The transportation cabinet says not all businesses may accept a digital ID, so it is important