Photo ID requirement for voters before Minn. panel

Published 8:28 am Tuesday, February 8, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A House panel is expected to vote Tuesday on two proposals that would require voters to produce photo identification before voting.

The Government Operations and Elections Committee is considering bills from Republican Reps. Mike Benson and Mary Kiffmeyer. The panel heard from dozens of people on both sides of the issue last week.

Both bills would require voters to show a photo ID before receiving a ballot. They would also allow for free government-issued IDs for those who don’t have driver’s licenses or other acceptable photo IDs.

Registered Minnesota voters currently don’t have to show photo identification before voting.

State law also allows election-day registration with proof of residence such as a driver’s license, expired ID with a utility bill or having a registered voter vouch the voter’s residence.