S.F. No. 1577(A13) amends the Minnesota Constitution to require that in-person voters present government-issued photo identification before voting, that voters not voting in person provide government-issued proof of identify, that voters are subject to substantially equivalent verification, that ID cards are provided to eligible voters at no charge, and provides for counting absentee and provisional ballots. 

Section 1. This section amends Article VII, section 1 of the Minnesota Constitution, which deals with voter eligibility.  Paragraph (a) requires a person voting in person to present a government-issued photo ID at the time of voting  A person not voting in person must provide government-issued proof of identity.  A person whose eligibility to vote has been established is entitled to vote.  The state must make a photo ID available to eligible voters at no charge.

Paragraph (b) requires all voters to be subject to substantially equivalent eligibility verification before a ballot is cast or accepted.  Provisional and absentee ballots will be counted if government-issued photo ID is presented or provided within ten days to the appropriate election official.

Paragraph (c) contains severability language that may apply if there is a court challenge.

Section 2. The proposed amendment will be submitted to voters at the 2012 general election.  The effective date is for elections on or after June 30, 2014.  This section provides the question that will be placed on the ballot.

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