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."
