Groups want voters in city elections to show photo ID
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Two groups concerned about the potential for voter fraud in Minnesota elections are trying to get people to sign a petition that calls for a photo ID requirement at the polls in city elections.
The Minnesota Voters Alliance and Citizens for a Better Minneapolis will kick off a petition drive Tuesday evening at Painter Park in Minneapolis.
The groups would like to see a photo ID requirement for all elections in Minnesota, but they are starting with a push in the state's three biggest cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth.
Andy Cilek, who is helping organize the petition drive, said petitions have started in St. Paul and Duluth. The event Tuesday, which features Republican Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, a former secretary of state, will kick off the effort in Minneapolis.
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"We feel it should be a statewide issue, but the Legislature keeps throwing it under the table," Cilek said.
Opponents of requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls are concerned that the elderly and the poor would be disenfranchised by the rule because those groups are less likely to have a valid ID.
Cilek said the groups disagree with that assessment, and said that their plan would make photo IDs available to those who couldn't afford them. Absentee voting would also not change, he said.
As soon as organizers feel there are enough signatures, they will approach city officials with the petitions, Cilek said.
So far, Cilek said he's been surprised that many people signing the petition thought there was already a photo ID requirement to vote.
"Part of what we're trying to do is raise awareness as well," he said.