Groups start push to stop Voter ID

Posted at 4:34 PM on February 6, 2012 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2012, MN Legislature

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment that would require people to show photo identification to vote want to make it an issue at Tuesday's precinct caucuses. DFL Congressman Keith Ellison said today minority groups, college students, senior citizens and disabled people could all be disenfranchised if the so-called voter ID requirement is added to the constitution.

"The biggest problem that we have is sort of easy assumption that 'oh everyone has an ID, don't they?" Ellison said. "That's the problem because we have to sensitize the population about the needs of the 1, 2 or 3 percent of the population that doesn't have an ID but that very same person may be your mother or your grandmother."

A group of faith leaders have also scheduled a Tuesday morning news conference to speak out against the measure.

Supporters of the voter ID measure say it would ensure integrity in the election system. GOP legislative leaders say they're confident the Legislature will vote to put the constitutional on the 2012 ballot.

A Senate Committee held a hearing last week on the plan but didn't vote on it.

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