Rep. Ellison speaks against Voter ID amendment

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to show photo identification at polls want to make it an issue at Tuesday's precinct caucuses.

Minority groups, college students, senior citizens and disabled people could all be disenfranchised if the so-called voter ID requirement is added to the constitution, said Rep. Keith Ellison, DFL-Minneapolis, on Monday.

"The biggest problem that we have is sort of easy assumption that 'Oh everyone has an ID, don't they?' That's the problem — because we've got to sensitize the population about the needs of the one, two, three percent of the population that doesn't have an ID but that very same person may be your mother or your grandmother."

Supporters of voter ID say it would ensure integrity in the election system. GOP legislative leaders are confident the Legislature will vote to put the amendment proposal on the 2012 ballot.