Passage of the voter ID constitutional amendment next month would require Minnesotans to bring a government-issued photo identification to the polls when they vote, beginning in 2013. But the devil is in the details. The Pioneer Press reports that critics say the specifics still aren't clear – what kind of ID, what happens if you don’t have one, how much it would cost and who pays? The 2013 Legislature could be left to sort it out.
The issue was a hot topic of discussion in the Maplewood City Council chambers on Tuesday night, WCCO reported. The measure would eliminate voter fraud, supporters say. Opponents say voter fraud is not a widespread problem.
Outspoken opponent of the measure, former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson, said the measure amounts to political mischief by the GOP in its effort to cut the number of left-leaning voters. And he said it could cost up to $100 million to implement, which measure supporters deny. (He and Walter Mondale are leading opponents of the measure.)
Carlson and Mary Kiffmeyer squared off during the forum. In a guest column this week, Kiffmeyer, former secretary of state and the chief Republican author of the measure, makes her case for it.
Here's the WCCO report:
