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State Representative Tim Sanders
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4226
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
A COMMON SENSE PROPOSAL
By Tim Sanders
State Representative
In a number of everyday activities we have to show a piece of photo identification. When you go to the bank and cash a check you have to show a photo ID. If you go out to dinner and have a beer you have to show a photo ID. We should also require a photo ID when people go to the polls.
Recently in committee I had the chance to listen to the arguments both for and against this idea. While people on both sides of the issue made good arguments, I am convinced we should know who the people casting ballots in Minnesota are. By requiring all voters to show a photo ID we can help to eliminate the possibilities of voter fraud.
This bill, HF 57, would have helped Minnesota cut down on current – and potential – voter fraud. Not only that, but the bill would have provided, free of charge, a photo ID to anyone who did not already have one. The right to vote is one I hold very dearly and I am convinced this bill would have protected, not hindered, the ability to exercise this right.
I voted in favor of this bill in the State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee. Unfortunately, the majority of the committee did not share this view, and it was voted down 11-8. Look for this bill to come up again in the future though, as I’m sure we have not heard the last of it.
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News Items
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- Legislative Update from Rep. Sanders - (Posted: Mar 14 2013 12:00AM)
- Budget Outlook Improves - (Posted: Mar 1 2013 5:38PM)
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