HF 2738

1st Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/13/2012 12:14pm

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article VII, section 1;
requiring voters to present photographic identification; providing photographic
identification to voters at no charge; requiring substantially equivalent
verification standards for all voters; allowing provisional balloting for voters
unable to present photographic identification.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
amendment is adopted, article VII, section 1, will read:
new text end

Section 1.

new text begin (a) new text end Every person 18 years of age or more who has been a citizen of the
United States for three months and who has resided in the precinct for 30 days next
preceding an election shall be entitled to vote in that precinct. The place of voting by one
otherwise qualified who has changed his residence within 30 days preceding the election
shall be prescribed by law. The following persons shall not be entitled or permitted to
vote at any election in this state: A person not meeting the above requirements; a person
who has been convicted of treason or felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person
under guardianship, or a person who is insane or not mentally competent. new text begin All voters
must be subject to substantially equivalent identity and eligibility verification prior to a
ballot being cast or counted.
new text end

new text begin (b) A voter in a polling place on election day must present valid government-issued
photographic identification before receiving a ballot. The state must issue photographic
identification at no charge to an eligible voter. A voter unable to present government-issued
photographic identification must be permitted to submit a provisional ballot. A provisional
ballot must only be counted if the voter certifies the provisional ballot in the manner
provided by law.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2012 general
election. If approved, the amendment is effective for elections conducted on or after June
30, 2013. The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present
valid photo identification on election day and that the state provide free identification
to eligible voters?
new text end

	new text begin Yes . new text end
	new text begin No . " new text end

new text begin (b) The title required under Minnesota Statutes, section 204D.15, subdivision 1, for
the question submitted to the people under paragraph (a) shall be: "Photo Identification
Required for Voting."
new text end