Ballot Measure: Voter ID Restrictions

We oppose requiring photo identification as a new condition of voting.

During every election year since 1996, MCN has worked with community organizations, civic groups and others throughout the state to promote increased access to voting in order to strengthen civic engagement in our democracy. MCN does this by building the capacity of nonprofit organizations to engage their communities in voter registration, non-partisan voter education and get out the vote activities. We know that nonprofit organizations are a critical community resource with a unique opportunity to encourage increased civic participation in Minnesota—maintaining our role as one of the nation’s top states in voter participation. We see genuine enthusiasm and interest in participation, and find that reducing barriers and increasing information helps.

Creating a new requirement for voters, one which could be a significant challenge for some Minnesotans, does nothing to increase participation or create the environment which MCN seeks for democratic participation—one in which barriers are few, information is plentiful and high participation is valued.

MCN's Susie Brown, public policy director, testified before the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on this issue on February 1, 2012. Read the testimony.

Additional Resources:

Press release: Concerns Raised Over Potential Election Day Registration Elimination
Election Day Registration - Factsheet (February 2012)
Election Day Registration Usage Map (2008)