A card holder system is provided comprising a holder body, a card holder component, a sensing means, a light source and a power source. The holder body generally provides the structural framework to which the other elements are coupled. The card holder component generally provides the ability for an element, like a card, to be removably retained in the holder body. The sensing means generally provides the ability for the card holder to automatically recognize an element such as an ID card being place in the card holder component. The light source generally provides the light to illuminate the card held in the card holder element. The power source generally provides the power for the sensing means and the light source.