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Apr 5, 2006 5:44 pm US/Central
Bill Would Validate More IDs For Voter Sign-Up
St. Paul (AP) ―
Voters could come to the polls with a broader array of identification to register on Election Day, under a measure that cleared the Senate on Wednesday.
Minnesota's same-day registration law requires proof of residency, which is often done with a drivers license in combination with a current utility bill. The bill that passed the Senate on a 39-26 vote extends the list of acceptable IDs to those issued by colleges and high schools, and adds cell phone bills to the list of utility records.
Republican senators argued it's easy to make fake student IDs or manufacture a cell phone bill, raising the chance for voter fraud.
But sponsoring Sen. John Hottinger, DFL-St. Peter, said laws already discourage fraud.
"It's a felony crime to fraudulently vote," he said. "That's the biggest disincentive to fraud that we could have."
The bill's prospects are uncertain because it hasn't had a House hearing. In fact, a bill awaiting action in that chamber would create stricter requirements for people registering to vote.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
