House committee approves bill requiring photo ID to vote

Legislation to place a voter identification requirement on the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment has cleared its first hurdle in the Minnesota House.

Members of the House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved the measure Friday on a 7-5 party-line vote.

Supporters say an ID requirement will provide integrity in the election system. But DFL Rep. Frank Hornstein of Minneapolis said he doesn't think there's a problem with voter fraud in Minnesota. Hornstein also said he doesn't think the issue belongs on the statewide ballot.

"We have to have a pretty high and serious threshold for when we put ballot measures before the people," Hornstein said. "And I think this is policy clearly that matters, but not rising to a constitutional amendment and a whole new election, or a separate election to implement this."

Republican Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake is sponsoring the constitutional amendment bill, as well as a separate bill to put the photo ID requirement in state statute. Kiffmeyer said the ballot measure is only needed if Gov. Mark Dayton vetoes her other bill.

"This is a strong, strong will of the people issue," Kiffmeyer said. "And when you have that kind of that strength, and if needed and only if, absolutely being short circuited in any other way, then it is fair to take it to the people and let them have a direct say."

The full House is likely to vote on KIffmeyer's bill next week.