Minnesota Session Laws - 2012, Regular Session

CHAPTER 167--H.F.No. 2738

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 (b) All voters voting in person must present valid government-issued photographic identification before receiving a ballot. The state must issue photographic identification at no charge to an eligible voter who does not have a form of identification meeting the requirements of this section. 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

new text begin (c) All voters, including those not voting in person, must be subject to substantially equivalent identity and eligibility verification prior to a ballot being cast or counted. 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 July 1, 2013, for all voting at elections scheduled to be conducted November 5, 2013, and thereafter. 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 to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013? 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

Filed with the Secretary of State April 10, 2012