Yeah, in all EU countries people get a national ID card when they're in their teens and then get automatically added to the voter registry when they're 18.

It's mandatory to have an ID card and it's provided for free.

For every election all I have to do is show up, show my ID card and cast my vote. It baffles me why it doesn't work like this in the US and why is it even controversial.

(At least as far as I know, this is how it works in all EU countries)

Oh, is it? Even the first time you get it and renewals? I think those should be free.