S.F. No. 1577 (Unofficial Engrossment) amends the Minnesota Constitution to require that in-person voters present government-issued photo identification before voting, that voters not voting in person provide government-issued proof of identify, that voters are subject to substantially equivalent state verification, and that ID cards are provided to eligible voters at no charge.  The bill provides for provisional ballots and for counting absentee ballots. 

Section 1. This section amends Article VII, section 1 of the Minnesota Constitution, which deals with voter eligibility.  Paragraph (a) requires a person voting in person to present a government-issued photo ID at the time of voting.  A person not voting in person must provide government-issued proof of identity.  A person whose eligibility to vote has been established is entitled to vote.  The state must make a photo ID available to eligible voters at no charge.  All voters must be subject to substantially equivalent state eligibility verification before their ballot is cast or counted.

Paragraph (b) provides that an in-person voter who is unable to present government-issued photo ID must be allowed to submit a provisional ballot.  Absentee ballots must be counted if government-issued photo ID or government-issued proof of identity is presented or provided.

Section 2. The proposed amendment will be submitted to voters at the 2012 general election.  The effective date is for elections on or after December 1, 2013.  This section provides the question that will be placed on the ballot.

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