Need to learn more about voter restriction? Attend a forum on photo ID amendment

Across the Forum Media chain this weekend, political reporter Don Davis notes in the feature Lawmakers must fill in blanks if Minnesotans OK voter identification:

Both sides in Minnesota’s voter photo identification debate try to paint pictures about how life would look if the requirement passes Nov. 6, but the real picture has yet to be painted.

If voters approve the proposed constitutional amendment, state legislators will take the brush to canvass next year to provide a detailed picture.

Even before that picture is on display, those taking sides on the issue are saying how they think things would look in a voter ID world.

Need to learn more about the question before you vote?  Colleges, churches, non-profits and better good government groups across the state are presenting forums, panels and speakers before the election. Here are the ones Bluestem has found; if you know of others (no rallies or marches please), please post in the comments.

October 15: St. Peter
Gustavus Adolphus College, Alumni Hall 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Speakers: Carolyn Jackson, ACLU-MN; Dan McGrath, Minnesota Majority

October 16: Richfield
Richfield Community Center (70th and Nicollet),7000 Nicollet Ave, 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.
U of MN Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents Sherri Knuth from LWV Minnesota and Dan McGrath from Protect My Vote

October 16: Rochester
Century High School, 2525 Viola Rd NE, 7:00 p.m.
Presentation by former Governor Arne Carlson

October 16: Winona
Winona State University, Reception in Kryzsko Hall, Dining rooms C and D, 6:00 PM; Presentation in Stark Hall, Room 103, 7:00 PM
Winona Human Rights Commission Public Forum with Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey (discussion of both amendments)

October 17: Moorhead
Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue North, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Forum sponsored by AARP, the League of Women Voters and Moorhead Votes

October 17: Minneapolis
Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Avenue 6:00-8:00 pm
Community Forum sponsored by BE THE VOTE Coalition 2012

October 21: Maple Grove
Main Street Meeting Room, Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main Street N, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.,
How the Voter Restriction Amendment Increases Inequality -Speaker: Dane Smith

October 22: St. Cloud
Atwood Theater at St. Cloud State University, 3 p.m.
Presentation by SCSU 1996 grad Keesha Gaskins, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU

October 22: New Ulm
New Ulm Public Library, 17 North Broadway Street, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
New Ulm Public Forum with Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey (both amendments)

October 23: St. Cloud
Atwood Memorial Center, St. Cloud State University, 2 p.m.
Presentation by Kathy Bonnifield and Kenza Hadj-Moussa of Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota

October 23: Minneapolis
The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove Street, 5:00 p.m.
Yes or No: The Voter ID Amendment; State Representative Mary Kiffmeyer and State Representative Melissa Hortman
Cost: $15; includes post-presentation reception, cash bar; registration info here

October 25: Willmar
"Large Community Outreach Room", Ridgewater College, 2101 15th Avenue NW, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Willmar Public Forum with Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey, sponsored by Department of Multicultural Affairs, Ridgewater College

October 25: St. Louis Park/Minneapolis
St. Louis Park Library, 3240 Library Lane, Minneapolis, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
It's More than Meets the Eye: Learn more about the Proposed Constitutional Amendment on Restricting Voting Rights

October 29: St. Louis Park/Minneapolis
St. Louis Park Library, 3240 Library Lane, Minneapolis, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m
It's More than Meets the Eye: Learn more about the Proposed Constitutional Amendment on Restricting Voting Rights

October 30: St. Paul
The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
The Voter ID Amendment Debate: Join Tom Crann, the Humphrey School's Doug Chapin, director of the program for Excellence in Election Administration, GOP State Representative and former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, and DFL State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader Steve Simon

October 31: Rochester
Rochester Senior Center, 121 N. Broadway, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Voter ID Forum with Congressman Tim Penny

To learn about opportunities talk to your neighbors and friends about why they should vote no on voter restriction, visit Our Vote, Our Future. To learn more about the consequences of the amendment for Greater Minnesota, check out Greater MN Counts. Like the Facebook page Minnesotans Vote No Twice.

Photo: The  battle of words rages on in Mary Kiffmeyer's War on Voters.