SF 1577

2nd Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/22/2012 10:04am

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.

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 new text begin ; who, at the time of voting in person, shall present government-issued
photographic identification as prescribed by law, or who, when not voting in person, shall
provide government-issued proof of identity as prescribed by law; new text end shall be entitled to vote
in that precinct. new text begin The state must make photographic identification available to eligible
individuals at no charge as prescribed by law. new text end 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 state eligibility verification prior to a ballot being cast or counted.
new text end

new text begin (b) A voter who is unable to present government-issued photographic identification
when voting in person must be permitted to submit a provisional ballot as prescribed
by law. Absentee ballots shall be counted if government-issued photo identification or
government-issued proof of identity is presented or provided as prescribed by law.
new text end

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

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

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended effective June 30, 2013, to
require that all in-person voters present an approved form of government-issued
photographic identification at the time of voting; that those not voting in person provide
government-issued proof of identity; that all voters be subject to substantially equivalent
eligibility verification before a ballot is cast or counted; and that the state provide at no
charge an approved photographic identification to eligible individuals?
new text end

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