You see it as irresponsible because you can't imagine not needing one to live your life, so you see it as something that should be prioritized. But it's all too possible to live without one (or at least without a photo ID specifically). Plenty of people don't buy alcohol or tobacco and plenty of people are able to buy them without an ID. There's a whole separate financial culture that doesn't use banks at all but survives on money orders, payday lenders, and other shady sorts of ripoffs. Of course it's better for people to have a valid photo ID at all times, and it just makes sense to do so. I also have no problem with there being consequences for choosing not to have one for whatever reason. I'm just not convinced that taking away their ability to vote should be one of them (although I'm also not convinced requiring a photo ID would do that, to be honest).