(ST. PAUL, MN) – A bill to require photo identification for voting passed through the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee in the Minnesota Senate.  The bill, Senate File 3571, requires identification for both absentee and in-person voting.

“Securing our elections is a concern of all voters. Adopting common sense proposals for voter I.D. and use of provisional ballots is a low cost and effective way to ensure all valid voters ballots count equally,” said Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake).  “When a fraudulent ballot is cast, there is no way to pull it back out. This legislation is an important part of security measures we need in our state. Minnesotans are concerned about election integrity and security, and over the last few years the entire country has been invested in rumors of foreign involvement of voter fraud and specifically Russian interference.  While we want to safeguard against any foreign involvement, this legislation will implement measures to stop any domestic threats to local election fraud.

As adopted in other states, the legislation requires voters to produce valid government-issued photo identification when voting in-person or by absentee ballot. In addition, the legislation establishes a new voter identification card to be provided free-of-charge to individuals who may lack proper identification.

Provisional ballots are another major election issue at the Senate. Individuals unable to provide valid proof of identity or residency can cast a provisional ballot.  This would give the voter a period of time in which they could obtain valid documentation to the county auditor.  If correct documentation isn’t obtained, the provisional ballot is not counted. These measures will not replace same-day voter registration. Minnesota is one of only three states that does not use provisional ballots in their elections.

“It’s time Minnesota catches up with other states on common-sense election security and integrity changes,” said Sen. Westrom.  These measures do keep Same-day voter registration in place, which important to many voters.

Additionally, the courts have upheld voter I.D. measures.  In the, U.S. Supreme Court case, Crawford v. Marion County. The Court held that an Indiana law requiring a photo ID to vote did not violate the U.S. Constitution.  Additionally, the Court held there are “legitimate state interests” in voting laws requiring photo ID, including deterring, detecting, and preventing voter fraud, improving and modernizing election procedures, and safeguarding voter confidence in elections.