Senate Committee Hears Voter Photo ID Debate

The Minnesota Senate Local Government and Elections committee discussed on Wednesday a proposal to require citizens to present a photo ID when voting, though no formal action was taken.

Senate Republicans want to get the issue on November's ballot in the form of a constitutional amendment question. Last year, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a photo ID voting bill, but getting a constitutional amendment up for a vote does not require the governor's approval. Republicans have a majority in both the Minnesota House and Senate.

Wednesday's hearing wrapped up without a vote being taken, though the committee is likely to vote on the matter at its next meeting.

Ilo Madden, a 73-year-old from St. Louis Park who is oxygen-dependent and on a respirator, testified against the proposal. She said because she isn't very mobile, getting to a government office for a new ID isn't always easy.

"Things can change fast at my age. Today I live on my own in an apartment, but tomorrow I could be living in a nursing home," Madden said. "If I was in a nursing home, I'd have to go through the whole process of getting an ID again. I don't think I could do it physically.

"I have a constitutional right to vote. And I don't want that right to be jeopardized by the very people who are working right now to take away many of the services that I and people like me rely on. My voice and my vote are two of the few ways I have to protect this democracy, which I love. We need to keep voting accessible."

St. Louis Park legislators Ryan Winkler and Steve Simon—both Democrats—have also spoken out against the proposal, saying it could disenfranchise some voters.

Supporters say the change could reduce the chances of election fraud.