Photo ID Amendment Heads to Ballot

This November, Minnesota voters will decide whether photo IDs are required when they go to the polls.

The Senate, by a 35-29 vote, passed a bill on Wednesday afternoon that will send the question to the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. The House passed the same bill early Wednesday. Because it is a proposed constitutional amendment, Gov. Mark Dayton will not get a chance to approve—or veto—the bill.

Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) voted against the bill.

"I will not support this constitutional amendment," said Bonoff on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon.

Bonoff said due to the language found in this bill, she believes it may be found unconstitutional.

She is an advocate for voter verification and said she thinks Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has better alternatives than a required ID, such as electronic poll books.

The issue has divided the Legislature on party lines, with Republican supporters saying it would add integrity to Minnesota's election system, while Democratic opponents say the measure is unnecessary and could disenfranchise some voters.