A bill that would fundamentally change Minnesota's election laws drew a dizzying array of spectators and activists to a Capitol hearing Thursday, all armed with passionate speeches about the integrity of the state's elections.
Sponsored by former Secretary of State Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, the bill would require voters to provide photo identification, eliminate voter vouching for same-day registration, allow some political buttons inside polling places, create "provisional" ballots and nix the "incumbent" ballot label for sitting judges.
Under the bill, precincts would switch to high-tech machines that would instantly verify voter eligibility.
The proposals raised high emotions on both sides.
Ninety-four-year-old Minneapolis resident Mary Lou Hill noted that many senior citizens do not have a photo ID and could have trouble obtaining one because of travel obstacles or insufficient documentation.
"There's no question that [this bill] will disenfranchise thousands of elderly citizens," Hill said. Similarly, several college students testified that eliminating vouching and requiring new documentation would make it more difficult for them to register and vote.
But Rochester election judge Todd Hoeft favored the changes.
"If we lived in an earlier time where you could rely on the honesty of everybody, that would be much more simple," Hoeft told a House panel. "However, I don't think that's the case now."
The bill is supported by House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, a co-sponsor, and most freshman Republicans.
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton called the bill "largely a solution in search of a problem," saying that "I don't think there is any evidence that there is any significant voter fraud in Minnesota."
Other opponents, including Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, have noted that the state's election system has been through two rigorous back-to-back recounts, with little evidence of wrongdoing.
The photo identification requirement would also mandate that the state distribute a free identification card to anyone without a valid photo ID.
The voucher elimination would remove a signature element of Minnesota's voting system. The state is one of only four that allows a registered voter to vouch for another voter's eligibility. Minnesota is one of about 10 states with same-day registration.
"Combining Election Day voter registration with vouching creates an environment that voters don't and shouldn't trust," said Dan McGrath, executive director of Minnesota Majority, which fought for many of the bill's provisions.
While identification and vouching took center stage at Thursday's hearing, Kiffmeyer said she wanted to address election reform comprehensively.
One change that arose out of the 2010 election: Voters would be allowed to wear political buttons and insignias in polling places so long as they did not pertain to an issue or candidate on the ballot. That is in response to a lawsuit filed this October by Minnesota Majority and other groups requesting to wear "Please I.D. Me" buttons in polling places.
Additionally, the bill would create "provisional" ballots for voters who cannot prove their voting eligibility. Those ballots would not be counted until the voters were able to prove they could vote. If some voters' eligibility were challenged, they would also have to fill out a provisional ballot.
The Government Operations and Elections Committee will vote on the bill on Tuesday.
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger contributed to this report. Eric Roper • 651-222-1210
