2.14.12 Photo ID Week of Action Clip Book

7/31/2019 2.14.12 Photo ID Week of Action Clip Book

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MediaCoverage

FebruaryWeekofAction:OurVoicesCount!

MinnesotansforaFairEconomy

www.mnfaireconomy.org


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DayOne:EllisonPressConference 2/6/12

U.SRepresentativeKeithEllisonwasjoinedbyanumberofconstituentsopposedtothephotoIDamendmentforapressconferenceattheStateCapitol.

"Thebiggestproblemthatwehaveissortofeasyassumptionthat'OheveryonehasanID,don'they?'That'stheproblembecausewe'vegottosensitizethepopulationabouttheneedsoftheone,two,threepercentofthepopulationthatdoesn'thaveanIDbutthatverysameperson

maybeyourmotheroryourgrandmother."U.S.Rep.KeithEllison

StarTribune|EllisonleadsoppositiontovoterphotoIDamendmentMinnesotaPublicRadio|Rep.EllisonspeaksagainstVoterIDamendmentWCCOTV|MinnesotaPreparesForVoterIDBattleTheUptake|RepEllison,MinnesotansSpeakOutAgainstVoterPhotoID

EllisonleadsoppositiontovoterphotoIDamendment

JimRagsdale|StarTribune

U.S.Rep.KeithEllison,D-Minn.,joinedbyrepresentativesofstudent,senioranddisabledvoters,calledonMinnesotaDemocratstounifyinoppositiontoaphotoIDrequirementforvoting.

HesaidthatwhilemostMinnesotanscarryanapproved,government-issuedphotoID,"that'snottrueofeverybody.Andthisdemocracyhasgottoworkforeverybody."


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Thethird-termrepresentativefromMinneapolisiscirculatingaresolutionforDFLprecinctcaucusesTuesdaynightthatstatesDFLers"opposeanamendmentintheMinnesotaConstitutiontorequireanotherwiseeligiblevotertopresentagovernment-issuedphotoidentificationasa

preconditiontocastingavoteinaMinnesotaelection.''

Republicans,whocontroltheLegislature,haveintroducedphotoIDasa

constitutionalamendmentandbelievetheyhavethevotestoputitontheNovembergeneralelectionballot.Ifapprovedbyvoters--andpollsshowstrongsupport--itwouldlikelygointoeffectinthe2014generalelection.

RepublicanssaythatrequiringvoterstoshowaphotoIDthatliststhevoter'scurrentaddressintheprecinctwilldiscouragefraudatthepollsandpromoteconfidenceinthevotingsystem.TheypointoutthatphotoIDsarerequiredforeventhemostmundanetransactionsandthatfreeIDscanbemadeavailabletothosewhoneedthem.

OpponentslikeEllisonsaythereisnoproofthatthereisaproblemnowthatwouldbesolvedby

photoIDs.TheyviewitasanattemptbyRepublicanstosuppressthevoiceofelderly,disabledandpoorvoterswhoaremostlikelynottohaveacurrent-addressID.

"EverybodydoesnothaveanID,''Ellisonsaid."Butpeoplewhodon'thavethemareasfullyAmericanasanyone."

SpeakingfordisabledMinnesotansatEllison'sCapitolnewsconference,MaiThorsaidpeoplewithdisabilitiesareoftenpoorandmorelikelythanotherstolackanup-to-dateID."Ourvotewouldessentiallybesuppressed,"shesaid.CoryBaird,astudentattheUniversityofSt.Thomas,saidmanstudentswillbeexcluded,particularlythosefromotherstates.

JohnMartinofSt.LouisPark,whoisactiveintheDFL'sseniorcaucus,saidthephotoIDrequiremenwouldturn"therighttovoteintoaprivilege.''

SadikWarfaofMinneapolis,aU.S.citizenwhocametothecountryfromhisnativeSomalia,saidmanyeligibleimmigrantswillbescaredoffbytheideaofgettingagovernment-issuedIDcardtovote.Theywillberemindedofthe"governmentsbackhome"theycametotheUnitedStatestoescape.WarfasaidimmigrantsrespecttheMinnesotavotingsystem."Wehaveoneofthemostflexiblevotingsystemsinthenation,''hesaid.

JimRagsdale651-925-5042

Rep.EllisonspeaksagainstVoterIDamendment

TomScheck|MinnesotaPublicRadio

St.Paul,Minn.OpponentsofaproposedconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequirevoterstoshowphotoidentificationatpollswanttomakeitanissueatTuesday'sprecinctcaucuses.


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Minoritygroups,collegestudents,seniorcitizensanddisabledpeoplecouldallbedisenfranchiseditheso-calledvoterIDrequirementisaddedtotheconstitution,saidRep.KeithEllison,DFL-

Minneapolis,onMonday.

"Thebiggestproblemthatwehaveissortofeasyassumptionthat'OheveryonehasanID,don'tthey?'That'stheproblembecausewe'vegot

tosensitizethepopulationabouttheneedsoftheone,two,threepercentofthepopulationthatdoesn'thaveanIDbutthatverysamepersonmaybeyourmotheroryourgrandmother."

SupportersofvoterIDsayitwouldensureintegrityintheelectionsystemGOPlegislativeleadersareconfidenttheLegislaturewillvotetoputtheamendmentproposalonthe2012ballot.

MinnesotaPreparesForVoterIDBattle

BillHudson|WCCOTV

ST.PAUL,Minn.(WCCO)Minnesotasnearlythreemillionregisteredvotersmustsignaregistrywhentheygototheirpollingplace,buttheydonthavetoproducephotoidentification.That,however,mightchangesoon.

TheRepublicancontrolledlegislatureiscurrentlypushingameasurethatwouldleavethequestionofvoterIDuptovotersontheNovemberballot.

Recentcontestedelectionshavegivenrisetoconcernsaboutimpostervotersandthepotentialforfraudattheballotbox.

Rep.MaryKiffmeyer,aRepublicaninsupportofthemeasureandwhoalsoauthoreditslegislation,saysthatdeterringfraudanddetectingfraudattheballotisareasonablemeasure,accordingtothecourts.

Kiffmeyerslegislationpassedin2011,butitwasvetoedbyGov.MarkDayton.

Inresponsetotheveto,RepublicanbackersofavoterIDlawrequestedthataquestionbeplacedonthefallballotaskingvotersifthestateconstitutionshouldbeamended.

DemocraticCongressmanKeithEllisonisnowgettingintothefray,sayingavoterIDlawwillonlysuppressturnoutandmakevotingaprivilege,notaright.

Thisistrulyasolutioninsearchofaproblem,Ellisonsaid.

Ellisonarguesthatevenfree,government-issuedIDswilldisenfranchisetoomanyvoterswhodonthavethemeanstopayfordocumentsprovingtheircitizenship.


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Therealsolutiontheyarelookingforistoaltertheoutcomeofelectionsbyexcludinglegitimate,eligibleMinnesotavoters,Ellisonsaid.

Kiffmeyercounters,sayingthatinallthecaseswherevoteridentificationwasputtothecourts,notasinglecaseofdisenfranchisementwasfound.

Currently,thereareeightstateswithlawsrequiringaphotoIDbeforevoting.However,someofthosestatesstillneedfederalapproval.

Wisconsinslaw,whichpassedlastyear,justwentintoeffectthismonth.

RepEllison,MinnesotansSpeakOutAgainstVoterPhotoID

MichaelMcIntee|TheUptake

CongressmanKeithEllisonwantsMinnesotanstogototheirprecinctcaucusesTuesdaynightanddemandthattherighttovotedoesnotcarrythepreconditionofhavingagovernmentissuedphotoID.

MinnesotaRepublicansarebackingaconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequireaphotoIDtovote.Whileitsoundslikeasimplerequirement,Ellisonsaysitisasolutioninsearchofaproblemandisaimedatdisenfranchisingthousandsofeligiblevoters.

RepresentativeEllisonbroughtforthmembersofpopulationgroupsthatwouldbehavetheirvotessurpressediftheamendmentweretopass.OneofthosewasMaiThor,awomanwhowasina

wheelchair.ShesaidinthepastfewdecadesbarrierstovotingforthedisabledhadbeenreducedwiththepassageoftheAmericanwithDisabilitiesActandtheHelpAmericaVoteact.

ButThorsaidthatvoterphotoIDwouldputupnewbarrierstovotingforthedisabled.Manydisabledpeople,shesaid,liveinpoverty.Thereare500,000disabledpeopleinMinnesota.About10%or50,000donothaveagovernmentissuedphotoID.TherearemanybarrierstothemgettinganID,includingbasicproblemssuchasnotransportation.

RepresentativeEllisonsaidtheAmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil(ALEC)isbehindthesuddenpushinstatestorequireaphotoIDtovote.HecalledthepushadeliberatestrategytodisenfranchisevotersthatopposeALECsagenda.

Othersspokeoutagainsttheamendment.

JohnMartinexplainedhowphotoIDaffectsseniorsandpeopleofcolor.CoryBairdtalkedaboutabouthowphotoIDaffectsstudents.SadikWarfadescribedabouthowphotoIDaffectsNewAmericans.


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Editorial:VoterIDLawisUnnecessary

AlbertLeaTribune|February7,2012

ThedriveunderwayattheCapitoltorequirephotoidentificationforvotersisasolutioninsearchofaproblem.Whetherittakestheformofaconstitutionalamendmentorasimplelaw,voteridentificationisastepinthewrongdirection.

WeareawarethatpollshaveshownmostMinnesotansfavorvoteridentificationand,onthesurface,itmakessomesense.Uponcloserinspection,however,itisclearthatthechangeisnotneeded.Minnesotahashistoricallyhadgreatvoterturnoutandveryfewcasesoffraudandnonethatprovedsignificant.

Sure,voteridentificationsupporterscanpointtoahandfulofcases,butwhenmillionsvoteineveryelectionthenumberofbadvotesissosmallthatitisinconsequential.Sowherestheproblem?

Thereisntone.

ButtherewouldbeaproblemifwecontinuedtoexpandthelistofplacesandtimeswhenMinnesotanshavetohavetheiridentificationonhand.Itfurthersanairofmistrust.Andexcessiverequirementsofthatsortleadtoever-growinggovernmentoversightandexpenses.

Thebottomlineisthis:Iftheresnosignificantevidencethatanewlawwouldsolvearealproblem,theresnoneedforthelaw.

AlbertLeaTribun


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DayTwo:ReligiousLeadersSpeakOut 2/7/12

Agroupofreligiousleaders,coordinatedbyISAIAH,JewishCommunityAction,theStairstepFoundation,HisWorksUnited,theMinnesotaStateBaptistConventionandSomaliActionAllianceheldapressconferenceattheStateCapitolannouncingtheir

oppositiontothephotoIDamendment.Followingthepressevent,thosegathered(morethan25)presentedalettersignedbyclergyandlayleaderstoHouseandSenateleadership.We,aspeopleoffaithinthestateofMinnesota,urgeyounottoputavoterIDamendmento

theballot.Peopleoffaithbelievethatallhumanlifeissacred.InvirtuallyallfaithtraditionsGodcreateshumanswithdignityandvalue. God intendspeople toparticipate inthehuma

community,andtobeabletodosowithinherentrespect.Webelievethatdemocracyismos

completeandthereforemostpowerfulwhenitembracespeopleonthemarginsofsociety

Webelievethatdemocracyatitsbestengagesparticipationfromthemostdiverseandgifted

gatheringofGodswholepeople.textofletterpresentedtoHouseandSenateleadership

StarTribune|GroupofReligiousLeadersUrgeLegislatorstoKeepVoterIDOffBallotWCCOTV|VoterIDControversyBrewingattheCapitolKSTPTV|FaithLeadersStandAgainstVoterIDAmendmentPoliticsinMinnesota|ReligiousLeadersPushBackonVoterIDMinnPost|KeithEllisonUnveilsVoterIDOppositionEffortforTonight'sDFLCaucusesTheUptake|ReligiousLeadersJamSenatorsOfficeonMNVoterPhotoID

GroupofReligiousLeadersUrgeLegislatorstoKeepVoterIDOffBallot

RoseFrench|StarTribuneLeadersfromdifferentfaithsgroupsgatheredattheCapitolonTuesdaytovoicetheiroppositiontoaproposedconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequirevoterstohaveaphotoID.

Closeto20TwinCitiesareareligiousleadersdeliveredalettertostateHouseandSenateleaders,whichoutlinesthereasonswhytheybelievesuchanamendmentisabadidea.

TheproposedvoterIDseekstoreducethenumberofpeoplewhoparticipateinourdemocracy.Passageoftheproposedreferendumwouldprimarilyreducevotersofcolor,theelderly,students,poorandnon-English-speakingvoters,accordingtotheletter,whichwassignedbycloseto75religiousleadersanddozensofothersinvolvedintheTwinCitiesfaithcommunity.

Effectively,thisgivesmoreinfluencetoasmallernumberofwealthy,privilegedandprimarilywhitevoters,theletterstates.


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SeveralfaithleadersspokeduringanewsconferenceattheCapitol,expressingtheirdisapprovalfortheproposal.

Itsamajorstepback,saidRichard

Chase,boardpresidentforthegroupJewishCommunityAction.Thisamendmentdiscriminatesagainstthepoorandelderly.Makingvotinghardermakesnosense.RepublicanshaveintroducedthephotoIDconceptasaconstitutionalamendmentandbelievetheyhavethevotestoputitotheNovembergeneralelectionballot

Itwouldlikelygointoeffectinthe2014generalelection,ifapprovedbyvoters.

StateRep.MaryKiffmeyer,R-BigLake,andSen.ScottNewman,R-Hutchinson,haveintroducedthephotoIDasaproposedconstitutionalamendment.KiffmeyerarguesrequiringvoterstoshowaphotoIDwilldiscouragefraudatthepolls.ShealsobelieveselderlyandothergroupswillnotbedisenfranchisedwithaphotoIDrequirement.

Itdoesntdisallowanything,KiffmeyertoldtheStarTribuneonTuesday.WhatitaddsisaphotoIDrequirement.Thisisnotanundueburdentohavethisrequirement.Ithinkweneedtoaddagreaterlevelofintegritytothevotingprocess.ItwillstrengthentheelectionsystemhereinMinnesota.

Heresacopyoftheletterdeliveredtolegislativeleaders:

DearLegislativeLeaders:

We,aspeopleoffaithinthestateofMinnesota,urgeyounottoputavoterIDamendmentontheballot.Peopleoffaithbelievethatallhumanlifeissacred.Invirtuallyallfaithtraditions,Godcreateshumanswithdignityandvalue.Godintendspeopletoparticipateinthehumancommunity,andtobeabletodosowithinherentrespect.Webelievethatdemocracyismoscompleteandthereforemostpowerfulwhenitembracespeopleonthemarginsofsociety.WebelievethatdemocracyatitsbestengagesparticipationfromthemostdiverseandgiftedgatheringofGodswholepeople.

Infaceofthesevalues,theproposedvoterIDreferenduminMinnesotaseekstoreducethenumberofpeoplewhoparticipateinourdemocracy.Passageoftheproposedreferendumwouldprimarilyreducevotersofcolor,theelderly,students,poorandnon-English-speakingvoters.Effectivelythisgivesmoreinfluencetoasmallernumberofwealthy,privilegedandprimarilyWhitevoters.

Furthermore,passageofthereferendumwouldeffectivelyeliminatevotingasaright,makingitaprivilegeinstead.Peopleoffaithrecognizetheproposedreferendumasanattackondemocracy,reducingparticipationratherthanexpandingit.Itwouldalsoincreasegovernmentexpenseandpower,requiringanexpandedsystemtoevaluateandprocess


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voterIDs.

Adeeplytroublingimplicationrecognizedbypeopleoffaithisthattheproposedreferendumwouldreducethenumberofpeopleofcolorwhocouldvote.OneoftheprimaryobjectivesothecivilrightscampaignintheUSwasvoterregistration.Initsattackoncitizensrighttovote,theproposedreferendumseekstoincreasewhitepower,andwoulddangerously

isolateWhiteAmericafromanincreasinglydiverseandgiftedworld.Peopleoffaithseetheproposedreferendumasprofoundlycynicalandbackward.

Additionally,theproposedreferendumwouldreducethenumberofpoorpeoplewhocouldvote,foritwillbepeopleoflimitedeconomicresource,limitedtimeandlimitedmobilitywhwillhavemostdifficultyobtainingvoteridentificationcards.Byreducingthenumberofpoowhovote,theproposedreferendumseekstoincreasethepoliticalpowerandinfluenceofthwealthiestandmostprivilegedclassesofoursociety.

ItisforthesereasonsthatweurgeourlegislativeleaderstonotputtheVoterIDamendmenonthe2012ballotandensurethatMinnesotacontinuesaproudlegacyofhighvoterturnout

andparticipationinourdemocracy.

VoterIDControversyBrewingAtTheCapitol

NatalieKane|WCCOTVST.PAUL(WCCO)Itssupposedtobeanefforttomakesurevotersreallyarewhotheysaytheyare,onelectionday.Butnow,anamendmenttorequireIDatthepollsisdrawingmoreopposition.

ReligiousleadersofvariousdenominationsgatheredattheStateCapitolTuesdaytodeliveraletter,whichopposestheproposedconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequireallvoterstoshowavalidphotoIDinordertovoteonElectionDay.

RepublicanlawmakerssaythisvoterIDlawisnecessarytopreventvoterfraud.

Religiousleadersmadeanpassionateplea,sayingthisamendmentwouldlimitpeoplesconstitutionalrights,ratherthanprotectthem.Theysaidvoterfraudissimplyanon-issue.

Puttheevidenceforwardthatshowsthisisanissue,aproblem,ElderAlfredBabington-Johnson,CEOoftheStairstepFoundation,said.Ithinkitsnon-existent.ThereisnovoterfraudofanymagnitudeoccurringinthestateofMinnesota.

Thesecretaryofstateestimatesthiswouldprevent700,000to800,000eligiblevotersfrombeingabletocasttheirvote,includingpeoplelikeseniors,veteransandstudents.

IbelieveinaMinnesotainwhichallpeoplehaveavoice,saidRev.PaulErickson.ThisconstitutionalamendmenttorequireaphotoIDwouldtakeawaythevoiceofthousands,ifnot


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hundredsofthousands,ofMinnesotans.Andthatswrong.

Eightotherstatesdohavelawslikethisinplace,includingWisconsin,whichjustwentintoeffect.

FaithLeadersStandAgainstVoterIDAmendment

NaomiPescovitz|KSTPTVAtseveralRepublicanlocationsforMinnesotacaucusesTuesdayevening,photoIDscannerswillhelpregisterpeopleparticipatinginthecaucus.

Photoidentificationisnotcurrentlyarequirement,butaproposedconstitutionalamendmentwouldrequirevoterstoshowID.Ifapprovedbythelegislature,itwouldappearontheNovemberballot.

ReligiousLeadersgatheredattheCapitolTuesdaymorningtospeakoutagainsttheamendment.TheydeliveredaletterstoRepresentativeKurtZellers'andSenatorScottNewman'soffices.Thefaithgroupsaystheamendmentwouldmakeitmoredifficultforthepoor,students,seniorcitizensnon-Englishspeakingandnon-whitevoterstovote.

"ThereareprerequisitestogettingavoterIDthatsomepeoplecan'tmeet,forinstance,itrequiresabirthcertificateinmostinstancesandmanypeoplewhoarefromthesouth,particularlytheelderlydon'tevenhavebirthcertificates,"saidAlfredBabington-Johnson,CEOoftheStairstepFoundation.

SupportersoftheamendmentsayitwouldlimitvoterfraudandpointoutthatobtaininganIDwouldbefree.

"Nothavingidentificationisnotlikehavingyourtonsilsout.Ifyoudon'thaveyourIDtoday,youcastillgetonetomorrow.It'snotaschallengingasre-growingabodypart"saidDanMcGrathwithMinnesotaMajority.

ReligiousLeadersPushBackonVoterID

JakeGrovum|PoliticsinMinnesotaAcoalitionofreligiousleadersrepresentinghundredsoforganizationsandthousands

ofparishionersbroughttheircaseagainstVoterIDtotheCapitolTuesday.

MorethanadozenreligiousleaderspackedaCapitolnewsconferenceTuesdayanddeliveredalettersignedbyhundredsmoreoftheircounterpartstolegislativeleadersastheyhopetokeepVoterIDofftheballotthisfall.

WebelievethatdemocracyatitsbestengagesparticipationfromthemostdiverseandgiftedgatheringofGodswholepeople,theletterreads.TheproposedvoterIDreferenduminMinnesotaseekstoreducethenumberofpeoplewhoparticipateinourdemocracy.


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Sofarthissession,RepublicanleadersintheLegislaturehavemadeclearthatVoterIDisalmostcertainlyoneofahostofconstitutionalamendmentsthat,ifpassed,willbeontheballotthisfall.

Atthesametime,opponentshavelookedtoratchetupthepressureinthefaceofRepublicanmajoritiesthatareexpectedtopassthebill.U.S.Rep.KeithEllisonspokeoutagainstVoterIDthisweekandTakeActionMinnesotawillreleaseareportWednesdayitsayswilldetailoutlining

Minnesota-basedfinancialinterestsbehindeffortstosecureaphotoIDamendmentonthestatesNovember2012ballot.

SenateMajorityLeaderDaveSenjem,forinstance,hassaidhedoesntexpecttheretobemorethanthreetotalontheballot.Alongwithamovetobansame-sexmarriage,hehassaidVoterIDwouldundoubtedlybethesecondamendmentontheballot.

InthefaceofRepublicanspushingforward,thereligiousleaderssaidonTuesdaythattheireffortsinthenear-termwillstillfocusonstoppingthebillbeforeitpassestheLegislature.Theydidntdiscusswhatkindofcampaigntheymightwageagainstthebillifitendsupontheballot.

Letusagreetogetherthatthisdevilishenterprisewillnotsucceedonourwatch,saidElderAlfredBabington-Johnson,StairstepFoundationCEOandapolicyboardmemberatHisWorksUnited.

AlengthySenatehearinglatelastweekincludedalitanyofoppositiontestimonyspeakingagainstthebill,asthosehopingtodefeatthemeasureturnedoutinforce.Novotewastaken,butanotherhearingwillbeheldsoonandthebillisexpectedtopass.

KeithEllisonUnveilsVoterIDOppositionEffortforTonight's

DFLCaucuses

JamesNord|MinnPostU.S.Rep.KeithEllisonisthelatestpublicfiguretospeakoutagainstaproposedMinnesotaVoterID

constitutionalamendment.

OnMonday,the5thDistrictDemocraticcongressmanenlistedthehelpoordinarycitizenswhowouldbemostaffectedbytheproposedrequirementthattheypresentaphotoIDatthepollsbeforebeingallowedtovote.

Heintroducedanumberofspeakersandadvocatesforstudents,thedisabled,theelderlyandpeopleofcolorduringaCapitolpressconference.

EllisonalsounveiledaresolutionthatwillbeintroducedattonightsDFLprecinctcaucusesthatopposestheVoterIDconstitutionalamendment.

Republicanssupportthemeasureasasolutiontovoterfraud,whileDFLerssayvoterIDlawsareaimedatdisenfranchisingvoters,ratherthanatstoppingwhattheysayisnon-existentfraudinthesystem.


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WhatisthewholeconceptoftryingtopushvoterID?Ellisonasked.Itisaboutvotersuppression.

SadikWarfa,animmigrant,saidthatvoterIDwouldbeaproblemforhiscommunityandotherswhomightnothaveaccesstothecorrectdocumentation.

Thisamendmentisreallyasuppressionoftheirvotes,Warfasaid.Youdonthavetofixsomethingthatisntbroken.

WarfaalsospokeatlastweeksMinnesotaSenatehearing,joiningabout30otherswhotestifiedthaimplementingsuchameasurewouldbeamistake.

SpeakersatEllisonseventechoedthoseconcerns.

EachspeakerlistedwaysthatVoterIDwouldhurtpeopleintheircommunities:

SomeoftheelderlydonthavebirthcertificatesrequiredtogetanID.

Transportationanddocumentationcanbeexpensiveandhardtosecure.

Studentsmovefrequentlyandcouldbefromoutofstate.

Andmobilityissuescanbeastruggleforthosewithdisabilities.

Tobequitehonest,Ithinkitcouldonlyaddtothedisenchantmentthatreallyexistsalreadyinyoungerstudentswithpolitics,UniversityofSt.ThomasstudentCodyBairdtoldreporters.

BothlegislativechamberspassedaVoterIDbilllastsessionthroughtheregularlegislativeprocess,butDFLGov.MarkDaytonvetoeditbecauseitlackedbipartisansupport.

Thatswhysupportershaveturnedtotheconstitutional-amendmentroute,whichbypassesthegovernor.

TheVoterIDmeasureisconsideredanearcertaintytomakeitontothe2012ballot.StateSenateMajorityLeaderDaveSenjemsaidonFridaythathesconfidenttheconstitutionalamendmentwillpassintheHouseandtheSenate.

ToEllison,requiringaphotoIDatthepollswontsolveanyrealissues.

Attheendoftheday,dishonestpeoplewhoareintentonbeingdishonestaregoingtobedishonest,hesaid.


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ReligiousLeadersJamSenatorsOfficeonMNVoterPhotoID


SenateMajorityLeaderDavidSenjemsofficedoesntgetmanyvisitslikethissayshisassistantBethKleinboehl.Itsnotoftenthatahalfdozenreligiousleaderscomecallingwithacadreoftelevisioncamerasintow.ThecamerasweretheretowatchthereligiousleaderspresentSenjemsofficewithlettersandpetitionscallingtokeepthevoterphotoIDissueoffthegeneralelectionballot.Theleaders,whocomefrommanyfaiths,saidtheRepublicanbackedproposedconstitutionalamendmentwoulddisenfranchisehundredsofthousandsofMinnesotans,manywhoaretoopoorortoodisabledtogetapropergovernmentID.Earliertheyhadpreachedtothepressaboutthedangersoftheamendmentwhichonereligious

leadercalledadevilishenterprise.SenatorSenjemwasnotathisofficetoday,butwillbebackWednesdaywhenthelegislativesessionresumes.HisassistantsaidtheSenatorwillrespond.


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DayThree:The1%TakesonDemocracy 2/8/12

InapressconferenceattheStateCapitol,TakeActionMinnesotareleasedareportoutliningthefundingbehindthephotoIDamendment.Thereport,titledThe1%vs.DemocracywastheresultofanintenseresearchandcommunicationseffortconductedbyTakeAction

MinnesotaandMinnesotansforaFairEconomy."Minnesota'sdemocracyisunderthreatfrompoliticiansandtheircorporatesponsors,whose

aimistokeepwealthandpowerconcentratedwithinthe1percentandmakepublic

institutionslessaccountabletovoters,''theTakeActionreportconcluded."WhileMinnesotansfaceforeclosure,crumblinginfrastructureandunemployment,theverypeoplewhoshould

representus--statelegislatorsandsenators--wanttoreduceourabilitytostandupfor

ourselvesbyparticipatinginthedemocraticprocess.''StarTribunereport

StarTribune|GroupOpposedtoPhotoIDforVotersCriticizesBusinessSupportforIssue

MinnesotaPublicRadio|LegislatorscontentiousoverVoterIDPoliticsinMinnesota|TakeActionreportlookstolinkVoterIDtobankdonationsMinnPost|VoterIDfoestargetbusinessgroups'campaigncontributionsTheUptake|BanksBackingGOPAttemptToSuppressMNVotes


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GroupopposedtophotoIDforvoterscriticizesbusiness

supportforissue

JimRagsdale|StarTribune

BanksandbusinessorganizationshavebankrolledRepublicanlegislatorsaspartofanefforttorequireallvoterstoshowphotoIDatthepolls,agroupopposedtothephotoIDrequirementsaidWednesday.TakeActionMinnesota,acoalitionoflabor,environmentalanddisabilitygroups,saidcampaign-financereportsshowstrongbusinessandbankingfinancialsupportforRepublicanlegislatorsandleaderswhoareactiveinthemovementtorequirephotoIDofallvoters."ThisreportoutlinesthefinancialinterestsandtheireffortstoinsertphotoIDintothestate'sconstitution,''saidDanMcGrath,executivedirectorofTakeAction.Hefocusedonthestate'sthree

largestbanks--WellsFargo,U.S.BankandTCF--forbackingtheRepublicantakeoveroftheLegislaturein2010,sayingtheyhelped"toelectmanyofthesamelegislatorswhoarenowpushingthephotoIDamendment.''"TheproposedphotoIDamendmentwillmakeitharderifnotimpossibleforhundredsofthousandsofMinnesotanswhoareeligibletovote,tocasttheirballot,''McGrathsaid.TheRepublican-controlledLegislaturehasintroducedaphoto-IDrequirementforvotersasaproposedconstitutionalamendment,andbelievetheyhavethevotestoputtheissuetovotersin

November.Supporterscitepollsshowingstrongpublicsupportfortherequirement.DFLGov.MarkDaytonvetoedtherequirementwhenitcamebeforehimasabilllastyear,buttheLegislaturecangetaroundthatvetothisyearbyputtingitontheballotasaproposedconstitutionalamendment.McGrathlistedbusiness-backedorganizationsorcampaignentitiessuchastheMinnesotaBankersAssociation,theMinnesotaChamberofCommerceandtheMinnesotaBusinessPartnership,sayingtheyspent$375,000in2008and2010tohelpelectlegislatorswhoarepushingthevoterIDamendments.HesaidmanylegislativeleaderspromotingphotoIDareactiveinanationalorganizationofconservativelegislatorsknownastheAmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil,or

ALEC.AccordingtoTakeAction,ALEC"isavehicleforthecountry'slargestcorporationstodirectlyinfluencestatelegislation,''andhasdevelopeditsownmodelphotoIDlegislationforstatestoconsider.AspokesmanfortheMinnesotaChamberofCommercedeclinedtocomment,excepttosaythattheorganizationhasnottakenapositiononthephotoIDrequirementforvoters.McGrathagreedthattheMinnesotabusinesscontributionsflowedtolegislatorsbasedonawiderRepublicanagenda,ofwhichphotoIDisjustonepart.ButhearguedthattheIDrequirement,by


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makingitharderforelderly,pooranddisabledpeopletovote,ispartofanefforttokeeppowerandwealthconcentrated."Minnesota'sdemocracyisunderthreatfrompoliticiansandtheircorporatesponsors,whoseaimitokeepwealthandpowerconcentratedwithinthe1percentandmakepublicinstitutionslessaccountabletovoters,''theTakeActionreportconcluded."WhileMinnesotansfaceforeclosure,

crumblinginfrastructureandunemployment,theverypeoplewhoshouldrepresentus--statelegislatorsandsenators--wanttoreduceourabilitytostandupforourselvesbyparticipatinginthedemocraticprocess.''Thereportisavailableathttp://www.takeactionminnesota.org/

LegislatorscontentiousoverVoterID

TomScheck|MinnesotaPublicRadio

St.Paul,Minn.SeveralgroupsarerampingupoppositiontoaconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequireMinnesotanstopresentaphotoidentificationtovote.GOPlegislativeleaderssaytheywanttoputtheissuetovotersthisfall.It'sanissuegainingmomentumacrossthecountry.Thereare15statesthatrequirepeopleshowaphotoIDtovoteandanother26stateswithlegislationtocreatevoterIDlawsorstrengthenthem.

MississippipassedvoterIDviaconstitutionalamendmentlastyear,butthatstate'slawrequiresapprovalbytheU.S.DepartmentofJusticebefore

itcantakeeffect.TheJusticeDepartmentlastmonthrejectedanewSouthCarolinalawthatrequirespeopletoshowgovernment-issuedphotographicidentificationwhentheyvoteinperson.Groupsrepresentingminorities,seniors,disabledpeopleandothershopetoconvinceMinnesotalawmakerstostopithere.

SupportersofthePhotoIDlegislationsaythemeasureisasimplewaytoensurethatvotersareeligibleandarewhotheysaytheyare.Many,likeSen.ScottNewman,R-Hutchinson,Minn.,suggestthatphotoidentificationisrequiredfor

allpartsofdailylife.Hebelievesmostpeoplewouldwantthesamestandardwithvoting."Theyreallywantintegrityinthevotingsystem.Thereissimply,inmyestimation,noproblemwhatsoeveringoingforwardwithavoteridentificationsysteminthisdayandage.Everybodyhasidentificationonthem."

OPPOSITION


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Butnoteveryoneagrees.DFLCongressmanKeithEllisonappearedataMondaynewsconferencewithadvocatesforcollegestudents,disabledpeople,immigrantgroupsandseniorcitizenstovoiceopposition."Whatwe'rereallyupagainstistheprevailingideathatsomanyofushavethat'Oh,everybodyhasanID.'Everybodydoesn'thaveanID,"Ellisonsaid."Butthepeoplewhodon'thavethemarejustas

Americanasanyoneofusandtheyshouldbeallowedtovote."Ellisonarguesthatsomepeoplemaybepreventedfromvotingeventhoughtheyhavetherighttodoso.Forexample,theMinnesotaSecretaryofState'sofficesaidroughly215,000peoplewhovotedinthelastelectiondon'thavephotoidentificationorhaveadriver'slicensewithoutdatedinformation.Theofficealsosaidthe500,000peoplewhoregisteredtovoteonElectionDaywouldnotbeeligibletovoteundertherequirement.EllisonbelievessupportersoftheamendmentareworkingtosuppressvoterswhotypicallysupportDemocrats."Thisistrulyasolutioninsearchofaproblem,"Ellisonsaid."Therealsolutionthatthey'relookingforistotrytoaltertheoutcomeofanelectionbyexcludinglegitimate,eligibleMinnesotavoters."

GroupswhoopposeVoterIDhavebeengettingmoreactiveinrecentweeks.TheypackedaSenateCommitteehearingandhaveorganizednewsconferenceseachdaythisweek.CelesterWebb,withtheChurchesofGodandChrist,saidhis84-year-oldmotherwouldhavedifficultyobtainingagovernment-issuedIDbecauseshedoesn'thaveabirthcertificate.WebbsaidthatforsometheproposalcouldturntheclockbacktobeforetheVotingRightsActwasenactedinthe1960s."WecallthatgenerationthegreatestgenerationAmericahaseverseen,"Webbsaid."WhatatragedyitwouldbeforhertotrytogovoteandbecauseshedoesnothaveIDasthisbillwouldrequire,shewouldbeturnedawayjustasshewaswhenshelivedinMississippi."WebbandotherssaytheonlyinstancesofvoterfraudrecentlyreportedinMinnesotahaveinvolvefelonsvotingwhentheyshouldn'thave.Rep.MaryKiffmeyer,R-BigLake,Minn.,worriesaboutthosefraudulentvoterswhoaren'tgettingcaught."Howdoyouknowthatsomeonestandinginfrontofyouasanelectionjudge,whotheyarewithouaphotoIDrequirement,"Kiffmeyersaid."Howdoyouknowthey'renotimpersonating?"Whenpressedfurther,Kiffmeyerdidnotproduceanyspecificstodocumentherallegation.

PROOFOFCONCEPTAtaRepublicancaucuseventinStillwater,Minn.,Tuesdayevening,voterspresentedtheirdriver'slicensestobescannedasverificationofidentification.Thescanner,whichcostroughly$50,collectedtheinformationofthe187peopleinattendance.Theinformationobtainedinstantlydeterminedtheprecincteachattendeeresidesin.HouseMajorityLeaderMattDeansaidhebelievesthecaucusnightdemonstrationshowsthatthesystemworks.


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"ItisalsoagoodwaytogeneratethediscussionaboutphotoIDforvotingwhichalotofpeoplehereareveryinterestedin,"Deansaid.ItisuncertainwhenthelegislationwillsurfaceattheCapitol.ASenateCommitteedelayedavoteonthebilllastweekandhasnotyetscheduledanotherhearing.

TakeActionreportlookstolinkVoterIDtobankdonations

JakeGrovum|PoliticsinMinnesotaVoterIDopponentsTakeActionMinnesotasteppedupeffortstoblockaproposedconstitutionalamendmentonWednesday,allegingthatdonationsfromafewMinnesotabanksandotherbusinessinterestsarebehindapushtosuppressvoting.Releasingareportitcalled

The1%vs.DemocracyinMinnesotaTakeActionMinnesotalookedtopaintpoliticalcontributionsfrombankstovariousbusiness-andRepublican-alignedpoliticalgroupsasthereasonbehindthissessionspushforaVoterIDconstitutionalamendment.Thebanksabsolutelyhavea

responsibilityandarethedriversofthisamendment,TakeActionExecutiveDirectorDanMcGrathsaidataCapitolnewsconferencereleasingthereport.Itsanattempttofundamentallychangetherulesofourdemocracy.The24-pagereportthatMcGrathsaidwasbasedonpublicfinancerecordsconnectsnearly$500,000frombanker-ledorbanker-fundedgroupstomorethantwodozenRepublicanlawmakersomeofwhomarespecificallyco-authoringVoterIDlegislationthissession.Specifically,thereport

alsosinglesoutHouseSpeakerKurtZellersandHouseMajorityLeaderMattDeanasbeneficiariesofthebusiness-tiedcampaignfunds.McGrathwaspressedonwhethertherewasanyevidencethatthecampaigndonationswerespecificallytiedtoanefforttosuppressvotingasopposedtoamoregeneralbusiness-backedagendafavoredbyRepublicans.Inresponse,hesaidthelackofanyvoterfraudinMinnesotashowsthatthepushforthelawisitselfunnecessary,andthatthesourceofitwasinsteadtheinterestsanddonationsoftheorganizationssingledoutinthereport.


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Therealconversationweneedtobehavinginourstate,hesaid,iswhostandstogainfromVoterID.TakeActionsreportcomesamidaweekofincreasingoppositionfromthoseopposedtoVoterIDlegislation.EffortsstartedlastweekatalengthySenatehearingduringwhichaopponentsgavehoursoftestimonyagainstthebill.OnTuesday,morethanadozenfaithleadersbroughttheircase

totheCapitolandRepublicanleadership.AndonThursday,McGrathsaidopponentsofthebillwillrallyandholdadayofactionattheCapitolagainstthebill.Oppositionaside,though,bymostaccountsRepublicansarecommittedtopushingaheadandhavethevotestoputtheissueontheballotthisfall.Theincreasinglikelihoodthatthebillwillpassappearstohavefocusedopponents,butwhethertheyllultimatelysucceedinblockingthebill,ortheamendmentifontheballot,remainstobeseen.PeoplehavereallywokenuptotheextraordinarythreatthatVoterIDposestoourdemocracy,McGrathsaid.Weregoingtokeepupasteadydrumbeat.

VoterIDfoestargetbusinessgroups'campaigncontributions

JamesNord|MinnPost

VoterIDopponentscontinuedtheireffortsWednesdaytoderailtheproposal,releasingareport(PDF)thatclaimsMinnesotabankerscontributedtostateGOPcampaignswiththeintentofdisenfranchisingsomevoters.

TakeActionMinnesota,whichopposesaproposedVoterIDconstitutionalamendment,saidits

reviewofcampaigndatalinksfinancialcontributionsfrombankexecutivesandconservativegrouptocandidateswhosupportthecontroversialamendment.

DanMcGrath,thegroupsexecutivedirector,saidthatthebankexecutivessupportaVoterIDamendmentinordertosuppressvoterswhodontagreewithalow-tax,pro-businessenvironment

ButhehadtobacktrackwhenreporterspressedhimtoprovethatthegroupssimplywerentmakingcontributionsinsupportoftheoverallRepublicanplatform.

McGrath,inresponse,saidthegroupsaremovinganagendathatis,inpart,aimedatrestrictingaccesstothepolls.

AccordingtoTakeAction,executivesfrombanksthroughconservativepoliticalorganizationssupportedRepublicancandidateswithmorethan$360,000inindependentexpendituresin2010.

WellsFargo,TCFandU.S.BankexecutivesandtheirboardmembershavedonatedhundredsofthousandsofdollarstomembersoftheMinnesotaLegislature,theRepublicancaucus,tomakeitharderfortherestofthe99percentofthepopulationtovote,McGrathsaid.


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ThereportalsosaidthatHouseSpeakerKurtZellersandMajorityLeaderMattDeanarepartofanationalorganizationthatispushingVoterID.

McGrathalsosingledoutatleastthreebusinessgroupsfortheirefforts:theMinnesotaBusinessPartnership,theCoalitionofMinnesotaBusinessesandtheMinnesotaChamberofCommerce.

InitialcallstothecommunicationsdepartmentsoftheCoalitionandthePartnership,whichhavethsamespokesmanandlisttheirofficesatthesameaddress,werentreturned.

TheTakeActionreportbuildsonoppositiontothemeasurefromDFLers,faithgroupsandelectedofficials.ArallyisplannedforThursday.

ItappearslikelythatVoterIDwillmoveforward,andSenateMajorityLeaderDaveSenjemhassaidhesconfidenttheamendmentwillpassandbeputontheNovemberballot.

TakeActionMinnesotaisadonor-fundedgroupalsosupportedbylaborunionsandfoundations.

BanksBackingGOPAttemptToSuppressMNVotes


TakeActionMinnesotasaysbankexecutivesfromWellsFargo,USBankandTCFBankarefunnelingmoneytoRepublicanlegislativecandidatestosecureaphotoIDamendmentonthestatesNovember2012ballot.

ExecutiveDirectorDanMcGrathgivesexamplesofhowthemoneyflowsfromthebankexecutivesthroughvariousorganizationstothecandidates.McGrathsaysbanksmayhaveabroaderagendathanvoterphotoID,buttheyneedtorealizethatiswhattheyarefunding.

DayFour:Room125IsntBigEnoughforThisOne 2/9/12

TheWeekofActionwasdesignedtogrowinintensityandenthusiasmastheweekprogressed.TherewasnoshortageofeitherasweenteredtheCapitolforafourthstraight

day.Morethan400MinnesotansjoinedusonThursday,carryingsignswithanti-amendmenmessages.ThosegatheredwalkedinsilencearoundbothchambersoftheMinnesotaLegislature,theirmouthscoveredwithone-hundred-dollarbillssymbolizingthe1%sattempttosilencetheirvoicesandvotes.Eventually,thesilenceendedandourvoiceswereheardloudandclearneartheentrancetotheHouseChambers.

FollowingtherallyattheCapitol,manyhoppedonbussesandheadedtoWellsFargoPlaceidowntownSt.Paultoremindeveryoneofthebanksconnectiontotheamendmentandtheagendaofthe1%.


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StarTribune|ProtestersrallyatthecapitolagainstvoterIDMinnPost|Anti-VoterIDgrouptoprotestatSt.PaulWellsFargoWorkdayMinnesota|HundredsrallytoopposeproposedvoterIDamendmentCareBlog|BigBanksBehindVoterIDPushInMinnesotaColorLines|TheWealthyOnePercentThatsBehindMinnesotasVoterIDPushFox21Duluth|NorthlandersProtestVoterIDLawatCapitol

MankatoFreePress|Editorial:LegislateVoterIDProposal

ProtestersrallyatthecapitolagainstvoterID

JenniferBrooks|StarTribuneStatesenatorswalkedintothechambersthismorningunderthewatchfulglareofhundredsofprotesterswhosemouthswerecoveredwithdollarbillstickersinprotestofpendingvoterIDlegislation.

TheRepublican-controlledLegislaturewantstoplaceaconstitutionalamendmentquestiononthe2012ballotthatwouldrequireanyonewhovotestoproducephotoidentification.Rightnow,eightstatesrequirephotoIDstovote,whileMinnesotaisoneof19statesthatdoesnotrequireanyproof

ofidentificationtovote.VoterIDisvotersuppression!protesterschanted,afterremovingtheirdollargags.Supportersofthemeasuresayitsa

common-senseprecautionagainstvoterfraud.Opponents,liketheprotestersassembledintheCapitolrotundaThursdaymorning,sayitwillhavetheeffectofdisenfranchisingtheelderly,thedisabledandstudentvoterspeoplwhomightnothavevaliddriverslicensesandmighthavetroublegettingthepaperworktoobtaintheproperphotoIDs.PeopleliketheRev.CelesterWebbs84-year-oldmother.Shesneverhadacopyofherbirth

certificate,saidWebb,whohasbeentryingtogetacopyforhismotherforyears.Butshewasbornathome,inruralMississippi.HesbeentoldthatthecourthouseinGrenada,Miss.,burneddown,possiblydestroyingherbirthrecords.


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Forawomanwhogrewuppoorandblackinthepre-CivilRightsdeepsouth,andwhosnevermissedanelection,theideathataconstitutionalamendmentcouldtakeawaythatrightishorrifying,Webbsaid.Itsalmostliketheyretryingtotakeherbackintime,toaplacewhereshedidnthavethatfreedom,saidWebb,pastoroftheUnitedChurchofGodandChristinSt.Paul,whospokeatthe

rally.Theyretryingtosetherback.Itabsolutelyhitshomeforme,andIdhatetoseethathappentoher.ButDanMcGrath,executivedirectoroftheconservativeMinnesotaMajoritygroupthathasspearheadedcallsforvoterID,insiststhatdisenfranchisementfearsareunfounded.In2008,hesaid,6,000apparentlyineligiblevotersvotedmostofthemfelonsonparole,orpeoplewhosenamesoraddressescouldnotbeverifiedafterward.That,hesaid,isalotofsuspectvotesinayearwhenanelectionwasdecidedbyafewhundredvotes.Wehavenoevidenceofdisenfranchisement,butwehavetheevidence,wehavetheconvictions,fovotefraud,hesaid.

Anti-VoterIDgrouptoprotestatSt.PaulWellsFargo

JoeKimball|MinnPost

AgroupopposingaproposedstateconstitutionalamendmentthatwouldrequirevoterstoshowidentificationisrallyingattheCapitolthismorning.

ThegroupthenplanstomoveatnoontotheWellsFargobankbuildingonWabashaStreetindowntownSt.Paul,tocontinuetheprotest.BuseswilltakepeoplefromtheCapitoltodowntown.

Theprotestgroup,ledbyTakeActionMinnesota,saysinastatementthatit'stargetingWellsFargoontheVoterIDissue,because:

Thesame1%forcesofextremegreedthatcrashedtheeconomy,includingbigbankslikeWellsFargo,

arenowattackingMinnesotasdemocracy,includingthemostfundamentalrighttherighttovote.

ThegroupclaimedWednesdaythatbankexecutivesandconservativegroupsarecontributingtolegislativesupportersofVoterID.


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HundredsrallytoopposeproposedvoterIDamendment

WorkdayMinnesota

ST.PAUL-Morethan300MinnesotansgatheredatthestateCapitolandatWellsFargoPlacein

downtownSt.PaulThursdaytoraisetheirvoicesinoppositiontotheproposedphotoIDamendment.TheDemocracyDayofActiontookplacefollowingaweekofgrowingmomentumforthecampaigntoopposetheamendment,whichisbeingledbyTakeActionMinnesotaanditsprogressivepartners.

Attendeeswalkedinsombersilencearoundbothlegislativechambers,wearing$100-billstickersacrosstheirmouths,symbolizingtheeffortsbythetop1%tosilencetheirvoices.Thesilenceeventuallyended,asmembersofthe99%raisedtheirvoicesagainstthephotoIDamendment.

SuperintendentCelesterWebboftheMinnesotaJurisdictionoftheChurchofGodinChristspoketothecrowd.HenotedthatformanyMinnesotans,including

himself,theramificationsoftheamendmentwouldbepersonal.Weknowthiswoulddisproportionatelyaffectthosethatarealreadydisenfranchised,Webbsaid.Mymotheris84yearsold,partofwhathasbeencalledourgreatestgeneration.ShewasborninMississippianddoesnothaveabirthcertificate.Ifthispasses,shewouldnotbeabletovote.Isaynotothisamendmentandsaythatweneedtoquestionthemotivationbehindit.

DanMcGrath,executivedirectorofTakeActionMinnesota,toldthecrowdoutsideoftheHousechambers,Therearefartoomanyhereinthisplacewhohavebeentoldbythe1%thatvoterIDiswhatweneed.Itisnot.Thisisthispeopleshouseandourvoices,andvotes,willnotbesilenced.FollowingtheCapitolrally,attendeesfilledbusesheadedtoWellsFargoPlaceindowntownSaintPaulforapublicactiontakingthepro-democracymessagetothe1%.Theywalkedintotheofficecomplexinsilence,carryingsignsandagainwearingthe$100-billstickers.Followingseveralmomentsofsilence,thecrowdcalledonWellsFargotostopfundingtheagendaofthe1%,chantingyoucanbuypoliticians,youcanbuylobbyists,butyoucannotbuyourvoice!Formoreinformation

SeetheTakeActionMinnesotawebsite


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BigBanksBehindVoterIDPushInMinnesota

JessicaPieklo|care2.com

MinnesotaisjustoneofsixteenstatesfacingrestrictiveVoterIDproposalsandanewreportsheds

somelightonjustwhoisfinancingthebattletorestrictvotingrightsinthestate.

Turnsout,itsbigbankingmoney.

ThereportreleasedbythegroupTakeActionMinnesotaunwindsthefinancialcontributionsbehindthepushforVoterIDandconnectsthemtotheCEOsofWellsFargo,U.S.BankandTCF,Minnesotathreelargestbanks.

DanMcGrath,ExecutiveDirectorofTakeActionMinnesotatoldreportersthatoverthepastweek,wevelearnedalotaboutwhowouldloseifphotoIDbecomeslawover700,000eligibleMinnesotavoters,includingseniors,low-incomepersons,students,peopleofcolor,disabledand

ruralMinnesotans.WhathasntbeendiscussediswhoWINSwhenpeoplecantvote.Thatswhatthisreportoutlines.

ThereportskeyfindingswerereducedtotwolargechartsthatshowshowbankingexecutivesputmembersofALEC(AmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil)intheHouseleadershipwithmarchingorderstopushVoterIDlegislation.ALECmemberRep.MaryKiffmeyerdutifullyagreedandintroducedameasureassoonasthenewmajoritytookoffice.

Thefirstchartshowcasedanextensivenetworkofmoneyflowingfrombanksdowntobank-ledpoliticalentitiesincludingMinnesotaForward,theMinnesotaChamberofCommerce,theMinnesotBusinessPartnership,theBankersAssociation,andtheCoalitionofMinnesotaBusinesses,who

thenfinancedindependentexpenditurecampaignsinstrumentalinelectingthenewRepublicanmajorities.JonCampbell,WellsFargoExecutiveVice-President,chairstheMinnesotaChamberofCommerce.RichardDavis,PresidentofU.S.Bank,servesasPresidentoftheMinnesotaBusinessPartnership.

ThesecondchartdetailedbankingcontributionstoindividualHouseandSenatecandidates,allofwhomarebackingorleadingphotoIDlegislativeefforts,includingHouseSpeakerKurtZellersandHouseMajorityLeaderMattDean.

TheindependentexpendituresfromtheCoalitionofMinnesotaBusinessesandChamberofCommercehelpedelecttwelvenewRepublicanlegislatorsin2010.

TheCoalitionandChamberspentanaverageof$28,300percampaign,anaverageof34%ofthetotalmoneyineachrace.Onaverage,theamountofindependentexpendituresfromtheCoalitionandChamberwerealmosttwiceasmuchasthetotalcontributionsraisedbythecandidatesthemselves.

Thebattleforvotingrightsiskeyinallstates,butespeciallyinstateslikeMinnesotawitharichtraditionofhighvoterturnoutandapoliticallyengagedcitizenry.IfVoterIDissuccessfulinastatelikeMinnesotathenvotingrightsacrossthecountryareatrealrisk.


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WiththismuchsupportfromtheBigFinance,McGrathsquestionisonethatdemandsananswer:whywillbigbanksbenefitsomuchfromrestrictingvoterrights?Justwhatdotheyhaveplanned?

Readmore:http://www.care2.com/causes/big-banks-behind-voter-id-push-in-minnesota.html#ixzz1m1HBENyB

TheWealthyOnePercentThatsBehindMinnesotasVoterID

Push

BrentinMock|ColorLines

TheperennialswingstateofMinnesotaisthelatesttobeenthralledindebateoverRepublican-ledeffortstocreatenewvotingrestrictionsthatcivilrightsgroupssaywillunderminevoteraccessfor

low-incomepeopleofcolor,thedisabled,youthandimmigrants,amongothers.AndanewwatchdoreportarguesthisweekthatthewealthyonepercentofMinnesotaarebehindthoseefforts.

Thereport,bythegroupTakeActionMinnesota,describeshowMinnesotaswealthiestfinanceinstitutionsandtheirexecutives,lobbyinggroups,PACsandthechamberofcommercehavebeenpoolingfundstogether,sharingresources,andinsomecasessharingofficesuitespaceinacollectiveeffortthatsatleastpartiallyresponsibleforaRepublicantakeoverofthestatelegislaturein2010.

ThegroupsreportshowsmorecorrelationthancausationwhenitcomestothevoterIDinitiative.Butitsinstructiveindetailingthewayseriousmoneyisshapingstate-levelpoliticswherebasiccivrightsissuesliketherighttovoteareatstake.

AnexampleofthisisWellsFargoexecutivevicepresidentJonCampbellchairingtheMinnesotaChamberofCommerce,thestatestoplobby,joiningtogetherwiththeMinnesotaBusinessPartnership,thestatesthirdlargestlobby,foramega-lobbycalledMNForward,whichfocusesonslashingcorporatetaxesandcuttinggovernmentspending.AlltheentitiestheChamber,thePartnership,MNForwardhavefloodedhundredsofthousandsofdollarsoverthepastfewyearsintothecoffersofRepublicancandidates,someofwhomarearchitectsofaphotoIDvotermandatethatRepublicanswouldliketohaveplacedonareferendumballotinNovember.


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Saysthereport,thebanksexecutivesandboardmembershavedonatedhundredsofthousandsofdollarstocandidateswhowillmakeitharderformembersofthe99percentofthepopulationtovote.

WhatTakeActionMinnesotaisaskingofitsreportsreadersistoaccepttheideathatvoterIDruleswidenthedisparitiesbetweenthosewithpowerlargesseandthosewithpowerlimitedby

suppressingtheonedemocraticfranchiseallcitizenspossess:voting.

ForDanMcGrath,executivedirectorofTakeActionMinnesota,theissueislessaboutthelegalandpolicymeritsofvoterIDlawsthoughthatsimportantandmoreaboutalargerproblemlistedinthereportas,Anintentionalefforttoreducethevotingrollsinordertohelpcorporateconservativesfurtherexpandtheirwealthandpower.

InaninterviewwithColorlines.com,McGrathsaid,Forus,thisisaboutcallingoutissueslikerace,becausesomuchofthisisracialized,andcallingoutthefinancialinterestswhovebeenmovingthisagendaalong.

WhethertheresintentionaleffortonthepartofbankslikeWellsFargois,atbest,debatable.ButtheMinnesotaphotoIDlawdoesntexistinisolation.Thereareover30statesthathavevoterIDrestrictions,somemandatingastate-issuedphotoidentificationcard.Nomatterwhatstate,thoughtheimpactisthesame:potentialforvotersuppression.

ThiswasillustratedinascenethisweekwhenMinnesotaRep.KeithEllison,aMuslimAfricanAmerican,heldapressconferenceatthestatecapitolopposingthephotoIDproposal.HestoodwitMaiThor,whospokefromherwheelchairabouthowhervotingrightswouldbecompromised,andSomali-AmericanSadikWarfa,whosaidthataphotoIDrequirementwouldpainfullyremindSomali-AmericansofthegovernmentstheyescapedtotheU.S.from.MinnesotaishometothenationslargestSomaliimmigrantpopulation.

Republicansupportersoftheballotinsisttheyareactuallyprotectingvotersbypreventingbogeymenlikevoterfraudandvoterimpersonationfromsurfacing.ItsthecommonrefrainamongRepublicansacrossthecountrywhowantthephotoIDlaws,eventhoughvoterfraudandimpersonationbarelyoccur.

AlsocommonisthatmanyofthestatespassingvoterIDlawsarelinkedtoaconservativeassociationcalledtheAmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil,whichbandsconservativestatelawmakerswithprivatebusinessintereststopushforbillsthatreduceifnotkillgovernment.ALECisfundedbytheKochBrothersandwasfoundedbyHeritageFoundationco-founderPaulWeyrich,whooncesaid,Idontwanteverybodytovote.Electionsarenotwonbyamajorityofthepeople.Theyneverhavebeenfromthebeginningofourcountryandtheyarenotnow.

Withthatinmind,considerthatALECcreatedamodelbillforvoterIDlegislationthatsomestateshaveadoptedfortheirownbills.AndasAriBermanreportedinTheNation,fivestatespassedvoterIDlawslastyear,andineachofthemthebillssponsorwasanALECmember

IfMinnesotagetsitsphotoIDbillontheballotanditpasses,itwilljointhoseranks.


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StateRep.MaryKiffmeyerisALECsstatechairmanforMinnesota.SheisalsotheauthorofaphotoIDbillthatpassedbothstatechamberslastyear,butwasvetoedbyGov.MarkDayton.OftheGOPsponsorsofMinnesotasphotoIDamendment,15areALECmembers,accordingtotheTakeActionreport.ALECisalsoresponsibleforcurrentvoterIDlawsinSouthCarolinaandTexasbothofwhichhavebeenflaggedbytheDepartmentofJusticeforpossiblecivilrightsVotingRightsActviolationsandWisconsin,thestatethatissaidtohavethestrictestvotinglawsinthecountry.

ThereisnoexistingevidencethatphotoIDlawswillpreventfraud.ThereisevidencethatphotoIDlawswillcosttaxpayersmoneytoimplement.DespitethepriorityofconservativeagencieslikeALECandMNForwardtocutgovernmentspending,thecostofpreservingvoterIDlawscouldruninthemillions.InWisconsin,thereareuntoldcoststoproducethousandsofnewvotercardsforstudentssincetheircollegeIDsarenteligibleforvoting.

InSouthCarolina,thestateislawyeringuptofighttheDOJoffoftheirvoterIDlaws,afightthatmightcostthestateasmuchas$1million.

InMinnesota,Gov.DaytonvetoedthevoterIDbillbecausehefoundthatitwouldcostthestate$23

millionforanunfundedmandate.

Rep.Kiffmeyer,theleadsponsoronthevetoedbill,isMinnesotasformerSecretaryofState.Duringthattenure,sheattemptedanumberofactionsthatmighthavedisenfranchisedvotershadcourtsnotblockedthem.In2004,KiffmeyerattemptedarulethatwouldhaverequiredvoterstohaveavalidIDthatexactlymatchedtheinformationonherregisteredvoterrolls.Twoyearslater,sheruledonElectionDaythatcollegestudentscouldnotuseutilitybillstoprovetheirresidencewhenvoting.Sameyear,shetriedtobanspecialidentificationcardsusedbyNativeAmericansunlessthevotercouldprovetheywereresidentsoftheirtribesreservation.Ineverycase,courtsoverturnedRep.Kiffmeyersmaneuvers.

Meanwhile,consideranIndianaUniversitystudypublishedintheJournalofLawandPoliticsin2009thatexaminedthevoterIDlawissueinIndiana,aftertheU.S.SupremeCourtupheldthestateslawtheyearbefore.Intheirreport,theyfoundthatof2.8millionpeoplewhovotedinthe2008generalelection,1,039showedupatpollswithnoID.Thatgroupfilledoutprovisionalballotsbutonly137ofthemwerecounted.Thesenumbersaresmall,butcleardataabouthowvotingrulesaffectvoterturnoutisbasicallynonexistentelsewhereinthecountry.ThestudysauthorswrotethattheIndianacasepresentstheclearestevidenceyetthatthephotoidentificationrequirementhasadisenfranchisingimpactonhundredsofIndianaresidentswhowanttohavetheirdemocraticvoicesheard.

RepublicanswhowantvoterIDlawsclaimthatfraudistheimpetus,butcantmakeanysolidclaimaboutitsexistence.Meanwhile,thosefightingtopreservevotingrightscanpointtoveryrealinstanceswheredisenfranchisementactuallytookplace,fromAmericassuffrageandJimCrowhistorytoRep.KiffmeyerstrickswithNativeAmericans.TheremayormaynotbeintentionaleffortstocorruptdemocracybehindthesephotoIDlaws,buttheimpactsareclear.


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NorthlandersProtestVoterIDLawatCapitol

Fox21Duluth

DULUTH-NorthlandersheadedtothecapitolThursdaytoprotesttheVoterIDlaw.

Theyresayingthelawispoliticallymotivatedandexcludestheelderly,peoplewithlowincomes,thedisabledandpeopleofcolorfromvoting.

TheyrealsosayingitcreatesfalsefearaboutvoterIDfraud.

GivenMinnesotaspast,thegroupsaysvoterIDfraudisrare.

"Wewantfolkstohaveachancetoeasilyparticipateinourdemocracy,protesterScotBolsaid.Therehasn'tbeenanydocumentedcases,almostnoneofvoterfraud,sowiththatlowpercentagewethoughtit'snotanyissuethattheyeliminatefolksfromparticipating."

Eventorganizerssaytheywillcontinuetohosteducationaltrainingatchurchesandcommunitycentersaboutthelaw.

Editorial:LegislateVoterIDProposal

MankatoFreePress|February9,2012

If80percentofMinnesotavotersfavorrequiringaphotoIDtovote,werewonderingwhyithasnthappenedattheLegislature.Gov.MarkDaytonvetoedcertain,specificvoterIDlegislationlastyear,butnottheentireconcept.Ipeoplefeelstronglyenoughaboutit,theywilloustthelegislatorswhovotedagainstitlastyear,or,attheveryleast,maketheirloudvoicesheardthisyearforpassage.Sofar,theresbeennosuchenthusiasm.Theresbeenapoll.Thatsaboutit.Sure,thereareinterestgroupsthathavebeenpushingthephotoIDbutnomassofaveragevoteroutcry.

Legislatorspushingforputtingthequestiononthe

ballotasaconstitutionalamendmentwouldhaveonbelieveotherwise.Ifthepeoplewantitbadlyenough,legislatorspushingforitshouldmodifylastyearsproposaltoDaytonsconcernsandtrytopassitagain.Daytonshouldbewillingtotakeanotherlook.

Weshouldntbeamendingtheconstitutionasasubstituteforeffectivelegislating.Thereisno


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constitutionalprinciplethathastobechangedtoallowforrequiringphotoIDsforvoting.TheremaybeagreatneedforthevoterIDlegislation.Itseems,though,thattheinformationprovidedbyproponentssofarisnotcompellingastotheexistenceofmassivefraudhappeninginMinnesotaselectionsorevendoubtsaboutintegrity.WesuspectthatswhythevoterenthusiasmiscasualatbestforphotoID.

AtaSenatehearinglastweek,afterhoursoftestimony,theconstitutionalamendmentideawasnotapproved.Ifthepublicapprovalissooverwhelming,whydidnttheRepublicandominatedcommitteepassit?Therewasnovote,thoughSenateMajorityLeaderDaveSenjemofRochesterseemstothinktheLegislaturewilleventuallyvotetoputtheconstitutionalamendmentontheballot.Thereremainissuesthatwouldbestbesolvedbylegislation,notconstitutionalamendment.Theamendmentproposaldebatedlastweekmadenoprovisionsfordetailslikecostofthemeasure,whethertheaddressonthephotoIDwouldhavetomatchanything.Itappearstheamendment,asproposed,wouldonlyrequireavalidphotoIDwhateverthatisandwouldrequirethestate

provideIDsforfree.ProponentsarguedthedetailscouldbeironedoutbyfutureLegislatures.IfdetailsarebestlefttotheLegislaturelater,whynotnow?Otherdetailsthatarebetterhashedoutbyadeliberativebody:19otherstatesrequirenophotoID,thesizeandscopeofthevoterfraud,andthecost/benefitoffixingtheproblem,whateveritssize.Instead,wehaveaamendmentthatessentiallyisdoinganendrunaroundthelegislativeprocess,leavingdetailstobedeterminedlaterandchippingawayatthepurposeofasolidConstitution.

Documents

2.14.12 Photo ID Week of Action Clip Book