Photo ID passes the House

St. Paul – Today, the House of Representative passed a bill sponsored by Representative Mary Kiffmeyer that would require voters to present a photo ID before voting.

“The three most important elements of elections are accessibility, accuracy and integrity,” Kiffmeyer, who was in charge of Minnesota elections for 8 years as Secretary of State, said. “This is a common sense bill protects and enhances those elements. Poll after poll shows that a photo ID requirement is supported by a clear majority of Minnesotans.”

A similar photo ID requirement was established in Indiana in 2005 and upheld by the Supreme Court on a 6-3 vote in 2008. Since the requirement was established, voter turnout in Indiana has increased.

Kiffmeyer also introduced an amendment to the bill to require quarterly financial reporting by candidates and political groups. Governor Dayton had previously said he would look at the photo ID bill if it contained this language. The amendment was approved.

The Senate had already passed a version of Kiffmeyer’s bill. It will now go to a joint House/Senate conference committee before being sent to the governor.

Majority Leader Matt Dean called the bill mainstreet common sense.