Minnesota Senate advances voter ID law

The Minnesota Senate’s rules committee approved the proposed voter ID law mere hours after the House passed a companion measure Wednesday.

The House passed its version of the constitutional amendment in a 72-62 vote across party lines this morning.

The measure will be brought before the Senate floor on Friday, and if the bill passes, a conference committee would need to resolve the two versions, Majority Leader Dave Senjem told The Pioneer Press.

If both chambers approve the bill, the amendment would be on November’s ballot, asking voters whether a photo ID should be required at polling places. Minnesota would provide eligible voters with free IDs.

Democrats argue voters like college students, the elderly and the homeless would be disenfranchised by the law. Republicans argue the amendment is meant to combat voter fraud.