Gov. Mark Dayton Wednesday stopped short of saying he would veto the measures moving through the Legislature to require voters show photo id but didn't sound predisposed to sign them into law.
"I think it is largely a solution in search of a problem," the DFL governor said. "I don't think there is any evidence that there is any significant voter fraud in Minnesota. The issue of the felons is not going to be addressed by voter id."
"I think every vote should be a legal vote in Minnesota and means to measure that but I think this has been a greatly exaggerated phenomenon by those who are dissatisfied with the political results of the last two elections in Minnesota. It is very unfortunate that they are casting aspersions on the integrity of our election process in Minnesota, which I think has been completely upheld by the last two very careful recounts," Dayton said.
Dayton also said that to meet his approval any election bill would have to include the requirement that candidates and parties file disclosures every quarter. That would bring Minnesota disclosures in line with disclosure laws for federal candidates and committees. Currently, Minnesota political interests file far less often.
If the Legislature does pass a photo id bill that meets with a gubernatorial veto, there still would be hope for backers of the measure. They could pass the requirement in a constitutional amendment, which would not require gubernatorial approval, but would need to find favor by a majority of voters in the 2012 election.
