The editorial board of the Winona Daily News lives up to its reputation for letting readers know what it really thinks with Our view: Voter ID amendment is a waste of money.
The Lee Media publication joins the consensus of Greater Minnesota newspapers endorsing a "Vote No" position on the voter restriction amendment. And there's no pussyfooting:
It would be so refreshing if proponents of Minnesota’s constitutional amendment to require photo identification to vote would just call the measure what it truly is: the voter-suppression act.
That’s why we endorse a no vote on the amendment.
There’s no coincidence that many states are pursuing such measures. It’s part of a nationwide agenda by an activist group that is far more interested in winning elections than promoting democracy.
The aim: keep seniors, students, minorities and others away from the voting booth because they may not vote to suit the Grand Old Party.
The ruse: Voter ID will prevent voter fraud.
What voter fraud?
Oh my.
The editors conclude:
We should be ashamed that we’re contemplating shutting them [voters without a valid photo ID] out from the voting booth — especially when the amendment does nothing to stop a felon with a valid photo ID from voting.
This measure is an unnecessary cost and a ridiculous priority.
We should be encouraging all eligible voters to exercise their constitutional right. We should be proud of Minnesota’s excellent turnout rate compared to other states — and the same-day registration that further encourages voter turnout.
It is partisan, petty and absolutely contrary to the spirit of what our democracy stands for.
Read the whole editorial and share it. The editorial board isn't suggesting that citizens send the amendment back to the legislature; Bluestem suspects that they had a much different destination in mind.
To learn about opportunities to 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: Author of the House version of the voter restriction Mary Kiffmeyer has been encountering fierce resistance in her War On Voters.
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