Republicans look to put a Voter ID constitutional amendment before the voters in 2012. Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, and Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, will be looking to pass their respective amendment legislation after lawmakers return to the Capitol in January of next year.
At a press conference today (Tuesday, June 7) the two lawmakers indicated it was not their intentions to push for passage of the legislation during the anticipated special session this summer.
Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the Voter ID legislation recently passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
One criticism Dayton had of the long-debated intiative was that it lacked bipartisan support. Kiffmeyer indicated that Voter ID supporters would have preferred to pass the legislation and have the governor sign it. But that didn’t work out, she noted.
Kiffmeyer depicted the governor as “standing in the way” of Minnesotans in getting Voter ID into law.
“The legislation has overwhelming public support especially among our younger voters and women,” said Kiffmeyer, former secretary of state.
… Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie also spoke out against the measure.
“The proposal to amend the Constitution to require eligible voters to present a photo ID before being allowed to cast a ballot would change voting from a right to a privilege. The impact on absentee voters and the elderly would be especially negative,” he said.
Ritchie urged support for Dayton’s Task Force on Election Integrity, created to ensure bipartisan support for future election reforms.
Full Article: Republicans look at putting Voter ID on the ballot | Hometown Source.