Title
Opposing the proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the voting rights of Minnesotans by mandating government-issued documents as a condition for voting.
Body
Whereas the right to vote is fundamental to democracy in America; and
Whereas government has a duty to prevent unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that impair the voting rights of Americans; and
Whereas Minnesota has been the national leader in voter participation for the past four decades; and
Whereas Minnesota is widely acknowledged to have the best system for administering elections in the United States; and
Whereas the high level of accuracy and integrity of the election system in Minnesota has been confirmed by statewide recounts in 2008 and 2010; and
Whereas the Minnesota Legislature has nonetheless voted to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot to restrict the voting rights of all Minnesotans by mandating possession of a government-issued document to vote; and
Whereas the proposed constitutional amendment would deny the right to vote to any eligible voter who is not able to provide a mandated government-issued document; and
Whereas many eligible voters would find it difficult or impossible to obtain the necessary government-issued documents that would be required by the proposed amendment; and
Whereas the costs that many voters would be forced to bear to obtain the necessary government-issued documents would effectively constitute a poll tax on those voters; and
Whereas proven instances of violations of the Minnesota election law consist of isolated, infrequent acts committed by a handful of individuals who would not be deterred by the proposed amendment; and
Whereas the proposed amendment would impose a costly, unnecessary and ineffective system of provisional voting on Minnesota voters; and
Whereas the costs of implementing the provisions of the proposed amendment would fall almost exclusively on local government and would mandate an increase in property taxes across Minnesota; and
Whereas the proposed amendment would disenfranchise many Minnesotans serving in the armed forces or residing overseas by requiring those voters to find government officials to certify their absentee ballots; and
Whereas the proposed amendment would discriminate against students attending private colleges and people working for private sector employers by preventing those voters from using legitimate and verifiable documents issued by those private institutions;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City of Saint Paul opposes the proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the voting rights of Minnesotans by mandating government-issued documents as a condition for voting;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minnesota voters are encouraged to vote “no” on the proposed constitutional amendment at the November 6, 2012 state general election.