Kiffmeyer Calls Photo ID Substitute Unacceptable
ST. PAUL (AP) - State Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer is batting down an election integrity proposal from Secretary of State Mark Ritchie as an unacceptable substitute to a constitutional amendment on her proposed constitutional amendment to require voters to bring photo IDs to the polls.
Kiffmeyer says Thursday that Ritchie's "electronic poll book" voter verification proposal could complement a photo ID requirement but isn't an alternative. Ritchie is scheduled to tout his proposal at an afternoon press conference with fellow Democrat, Gov. Mark Dayton, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Last year, Dayton vetoed a bill to require a photo ID for voting in law which is why backers are now pursuing a constitutional amendment.
Kiffmeyer's amendment is being reviewed Thursday by a House committee. She says Ritchie's proposal won't affect her plans.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)