Home > Issues > Voting Rights > Protect the Right to Vote

The right to vote is under attack, and the ACLU-MN is working hard to ensure that our voting rights stay protected.

A voter ID Constitutional Amendment was introduced in both the Minnesota Senate and House at the start of the 2012 session. The amendment would require that before you cast a ballot you would be required to present government-issued photographic identification. This would effectively disenfranchise over 215,000 registered voters, because they do not possess a current government issued ID. If the bill passes the voters would vote on voter ID on the 2012 ballot along with other bad constitutional amendments.

This amendment would eliminate provisions that allow individuals to register to vote using other methods if they do not have acurrent photo ID. Alternative methods currently accepted include: vouching, presenting a utility bill or using a student ID

While the law states that a free ID would be provided, the supporting documents needed to get this supposedly "free ID" cost time and money to get. For example you need a certified copy of a birth certificate to get your free ID, depending on what state you were born in it can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 to get a copy of your birth certificate (if you even have one). Plus you have to take the time and spend the money to get to the nearest DVS that issues ID cards.

Here are some resources for you on why we are concerned about these attacks and what you can do to help.

What to say to fight voter ID

What we have written about Voting Rights

From Charles Samuelson, ACLU-MN Executive Director

From the National ACLU's Blog of Rights

From our allies

The League of Women Voters have put together a wonderful video and toolkit on what you can do to oppose voter ID. Check it out!

Information about your voting rights

Your Voting Rights