Policy Statement - Voter Photo ID
SF1577 (House File 2738)

Minnesotans value their right to vote as demonstrated by voter registrations and turnout percentages that consistently lead the nation. (1)  However, a number of practices shed doubt on the integrity of our cherished franchise:

• Same day registration subjects voters to two different verification standards, effectively removing from those who register in advance of election day their right to equal protection.
• Without a means to prove identity or eligibility before voting, any voter fraud is revealed after the fact, which reduces confidence in electoral outcomes.

Senate File 1577 proposes to require a photo identification prior to voting, subject all voters to the same eligibility standards, and provide a free photo identification to any voter needing one.  It addresses concerns about identity, ensures all potential voters are held to the same eligibility standard and does not exclude anyone for ability to pay.

Therefore, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Minnesota encourages the Minnesota legislature to pass a constitutional amendment, during the 2012 legislative session, giving individual voters the freedom to decide whether to require photo identification before receiving a ballot.


1. http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/elections/voting-age_population_and_voter_participation.html