Ramsey County elections manager Joe Mansky says local officials lack the resources to implement the proposed voter ID amendment. Mansky, who opposes the amendment, said it would complicate the process of counting ballots from voters who register at their polling place on Election Day. “Clearly, we do not currently have the ability to do the on-the-spot verification that … I think would be necessary given the language in this amendment,” Mansky told MPR’s Cathy Wurzer on Thursday. He also said the changes would be costly for local elections officials around the state.
The Minnesota House approved a measure Wednesday to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. If approved, Minnesotans would be required to show a photographic identification in order to vote. The bill, which was introduced by GOP lawmakers who say the state needs to do more to prevent voter fraud, is awaiting a vote in the state Senate. If approved by voters, the state Legislature would still have to figure out the details of how it would work.
Mansky was critical of the recent discussion at the Capitol about the details of implementing the proposed changes. “I think the methodology that they have chosen here will be archaic on the first day that it is implemented,” he said.
Full Article: Mansky, local election official, concerned about voter ID requirements | Minnesota Public Radio News.