ST. PAUL  (AP) - Legislation that would require voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot has cleared the Minnesota Senate.

The GOP-controlled Senate approved the bill on a party-line 37-25 vote early Thursday, with Republicans supporting the proposal and Democrats opposed.

The bill next moves to the House.

Republicans support the change as a way to ensure honest elections, while Democrats say it would make voting harder for seniors, students and poor people.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has said he won't sign the bill unless it gets bipartisan support from lawmakers.

Republicans say they might put the requirement to a statewide vote in 2012 if Dayton vetoes it.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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