Photo Identification required for voting

The Constitutional Amendment for Voter ID is stated on the ballot as:

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voter, effective July 1, 2013?
What does this constitutional amendment really mean? Do you know all of the extras that the legislature has included in this amendment?

If this passes, a voter voting in person must present valid government-issued photographic identification before receiving a ballot. If a voter does not have this then they will have to vote on a provisional ballot and their vote will not be counted on Election Day. The voter will then need to come to the courthouse within a few days to show ID or obtain a new one for their vote to be counted. If they cannot produce an ID in the time allowed then the provisional ballot will not be opened and counted.

Dodge County Commissioner Lyle Tjosaas of Kasson who is running unopposed, said that on the surface the voter ID amendment looks like a good idea. When people get all the facts it does not look like a such a good idea to require voter ID. In fact the amendment is not even complete and still has language to be added, which will be done the next legislative session.

The proposed constitutional amendment will have costs to Dodge County for the additional items needed to run elections. “The county will have to purchase poll books for the polling place and train and educate  additional election judges on the new provisional voting system. The county will also have the added cost of supplies needed to do provisional ballots and the additional staff time to work with provisional ballots, “ said Sara Marquardt who is in charge of voter information and registration for Dodge County.

The estimated cost for Dodge County if this passes is between $71,000 and $122,000 depending on the type of additional equipment the county will have to buy.

The cost of standard poll books, includes the computers, signature pad, ID readers, cables, other peripherals and tax is $1,625 each. Dodge County has 21 precincts so this cost will be $34,125.00.

The cost of electronic poll books that have the power to have a real-time connection to SVRS (Statewide Voter Registration System-this is what the county uses for tracking registered voters) and meet the other requirements of HF 210, including the computers, ID card reader, cables and other peripherals and tax, is $4,028 each. With 21 precincts the cost will be $84,588 at least. In some precincts the county may need to have additional poll books. The county will also have to have printers in each polling place for an additional cost of $339 each including tax. The county may only have to have one per polling place for a cost of $6,102.00. The machines alone will cost Dodge County $40,000 and $91,000.

“This is the cost for only one of the poll books in each precinct, I am sure that some of our precincts will need at least two poll books. Plus we will have to have at least one backup machine just like we do the AutoMARK and M100 precinct counter,” said Sara Marquardt.

The county will also have to pay for provisional ballots, provisional ballot envelopes, training for election judges and staff who are administrating the provisional ballots. Post-Election the election staff will have to put in additional time to help voters who return with IDs and to process the provisional ballots. Each polling place will need an additional secured ballot box for the provisional ballots. Each polling place will need an additional secured ballot box for the provisional ballot that will cost approximately $100. So Dodge County will need $2,100 for the 21 precincts.

There are so many unanswered questions with this constitutional amendment. How will this effect absentee voting? How will this effect the overseas and military voting? Will there still be same-day voter registration?

The amendment says that “All voters, including those not voting in person, must be subject to substantially equivalent identity and eligibility verification prior to ballot being cast or counted.” The absentee, overseas and military voters will have to present ID somehow to election officials. But how can someone in California or the Philippines provide the county with ID? They could send a copy of the ID, but how will the county know the person voting is the person on the ID? This will also be hard for seniors or persons with disabilities to produce an ID.

The ammendment states that the state will provide identification at no charge to an eligible voter who does not have ID. Where will these ID’s be available? At the county level who will pay for the technology to make these ID’s? Also to receive the free ID, you will need to pay for the needed documents. These include a birth certificate or marriage license.

Letter to the Editor: Brumfield

Letter To the Editor:

I supported Duane Quam in the past, and I feel that was a mistake. During the last session, I went to the Capitol to visit with legislators who represent me; I had some information about current issues that I felt should influence their decisions. It is standard practice that lawmakers will make every effort to meet with constituents who come to the Capitol. Nineteen other people also attempted to see Mr. Quam on the same day I was there. We couldn't get an appointment even though we called in advance. We worked with Mr. Quam's office to find a time and place where we could speak for a few minutes. Other legislators came out of the same meetings where he was, to meet with their constituents, and they told Mr. Quam that we waited outside. But Mr. Quam disappeared out the back door. We went back to his office to meet him, his staff tried to help us find a constantly disappearing legislator. He never turned up as expected; his staff directed us back to his next committee meeting where we stood by. But he never showed up. Many of the people filled out comment cards at his office, leaving their contact information. To my knowledge, none of those people have ever been contacted by Duane Quam. When I left, I felt that my Representative was representing his own views, and had no interest in the views of the voter.

Back home, I spoke with other people who had similar experiences with Duane Quam at the Capitol, and I was told that several groups had been unable to meet with him. I heard of one group of teachers who did finally corner him and they felt that they had to block the exit to the room just to get him to hear their concerns. One teacher told me she overheard Mr. Quam tell his staff "Don't let those people get near me.” 

I have firsthand knowledge of Duane Quam’s opponent-John Vossen. For many years I have known John to be a person who will always listen to everyone, consider all the evidence, and come up with decisions that are fair and good. I have known him as someone who can work well with all sides to arrive at equitable solutions.

I cannot condone Mr. Quam's behavior and I apologize to the voters for my part in sending a Representative to the Capitol who has repeatedly refused to  even hear the people whom he was elected to represent. I feel that I made a terrible mistake during the last election and I hope that you will join with me in my efforts to fire Mr. Quam and stop him from using our forum to further his own personal views. Let’s vote together for John Vossen and put representation back in the office of Representative for District 25A.

Jim Brumfield
Kasson, MN

Mayors Memo

What an amazing autumn we are having!  This dry weather is great for finishing up those yard and home projects, getting crops out, and of course working on city projects.  However, I hope we experience some rain soon to avoid the drastic drought conditions that some of our neighboring areas and states are already dealing with.  

Update: 16th Street is progressing well.  The Aquatic Center (after some delays mostly relating to a permitting issue with the State) has started.  The target is still for a June 8th open date and that is what we are planning on.  So as much as we need the rain it can hold off for a little while!

You might have already noticed through all the constant TV and radio ads, that this is an election year.  Surprise!!??! While we have probably heard enough presidential ads to last us a lifetime, did you know at the local level we do have two positions on the council up for election and we have six candidates that are running (one for re-election and five other candidates)?  At the local level it can be difficult to find information on the candidates.  The DCI will once again be running as they have in the past, candidate questions and answers before the election along with the many ads that are sure to be in the paper as well.  However, I would suggest you give these candidates a call or if you know them and see them around town -- chat them up when you get the chance.  Without having a primary system set up, we are limited on how we can get to know the candidates.  And, with six candidates it can be even tougher.  Below is a listing of them in alphabetical order:

Steve Breza
Chuck Coleman
Dan Eggler
Rich Miller
Spencer Stevens
Sheldon Torkelson (currently serving on City Council)

We have many exciting things happening around town.  It’s a great time, I feel, for people to be getting involved and having six candidates is an indication that people are interested in what is going on around town.   

Also, if you want, you can access a copy of what our ballot in November will look like at the Secretary of State’s website.  That address is: http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/
Or, you can go to the City’s Facebook page and access the site from the posting on September 25th. 
And, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. 

In your service,

Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com