ST PAUL — The Republican lawmaker who drafted a failed constitutional amendment years ago is taking another shot at a bill that would require voters present photo identification in order to cast their ballots.
The Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee advanced Senate File 3571 by a 5-4 vote on Thursday, Feb. 27. The bill's primary author Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, also authored a 2012 ballot measure that would have put in place voter ID requirements, which failed by an 8% margin.
Hutchinson is giving it another shot, though, saying Thursday that in the years elapsed, new Minnesota lawmakers have taken office, new justices have taken to court benches and perhaps public opinion has shifted.
In Thursday's hearing, Hutchinson said legislators on both sides of the aisle want to protect the integrity of Minnesota elections.
"I also think we are all pretty sensitive to potential disenfranchisement of voters," he said. "Not only those who may have a difficult time obtaining the necessary documents (to hold a valid voter ID), but also the voters who are disenfranchised when illegal voters cast votes and neutralize the vote of a legitimate, legal voter."
Similar voter ID requirements in nearby North Dakota have made national headlines and become entangled in the court system, particularly for the disproportionate impacts of the law felt by Native American tribal members who may not need or be able to access photo identification, or even have a valid street address.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon testified against the bill at Thursday's hearing, calling it unnecessary and an "attempt at a do-over" of 2012's failed amendment. He said improper voting in the state is "very small — it is isolated, it is contained" and that lawmakers can see that Minnesotans trust the state election by its record-high turnout numbers.
"I just don't think as a matter of common sense that people would vote in such sky-high numbers if they truly, sincerely believed the system was riddled with fraud," he said. "They just wouldn't do it. I don't think most of you would. I wouldn't! What a waste of time."
The bill now heads to the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee for a hearing.
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February 28, 2020 at 11:00AM
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Minnesota lawmakers advance re-try of voter ID requirements - Grand Forks Herald
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