Politics & Government

LIVE VIDEO: Minnesota Senate to Vote on Voter Photo ID

If the bill passes the Senate on Friday, the question of whether a photo ID should be required to vote will go on the November ballot.

The Minnesota Senate will be voting today on whether photo IDs should be required at the polls on Election Day.

If the bill passes, the question will go on November's ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment to be decided by Minnesota voters. The state House passed its version of the bill after a nine-hour debate Tuesday that spilled into Wednesday morning.

Because the issue is being handled as a proposed constitutional amendment, Gov. Mark Dayton would not get a chance to approve or veto the bill.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both of Senate District 57's House members—Republican Reps. Kurt Bills and Tara Mack—voted in favor of the proposal. The final 72-62 vote in the House was, in fact, purely along party lines.

Republican supporters have argued that the bill would add integrity to Minnesota's voting system, while Democrats have said it is unnecessary and could disenfranchise some voters.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You can watch a live stream of Friday's Senate debate and vote here starting at 2 p.m., courtesy of The Uptake.

What do you think: Should Minnesota voters be required to present photo IDs at the polls? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.


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