SF 1577

1st Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/24/2012 11:29am

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; and whose eligibility to
vote has been established under this section 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.
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 (b) All voters must be subject to substantially equivalent eligibility verification
prior to a ballot being cast or accepted. Provisional and absentee ballots shall be counted
if government-issued photo identification or government-issued proof of identity is
presented or provided within ten calendar days to the appropriate elections official as
prescribed by law.
new text end

new text begin (c) If any provision in this section is found invalid under the United States
Constitution or federal law, the remaining provisions in this section shall remain valid to
the extent that the United States Constitution and federal law permit.
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, 2014.
The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended effective June 30, 2014, 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 accepted; 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