Under a proposed constitutional amendment put forth by conservative groups like Minnesota Majority, all Minnessotans would be required to provide a government ID with a current mailing address, or otherwise be denied the right to vote.
On the surface it seems like a fair ask, but if you look deeper into the issue and who’s behind the proposal, you’ll notice some familiar specters and the votes they’re really trying to suppress.
Who’s behind the measure
A few weeks ago, NPA affiliate Take Action Minnesota (TAMN), released a report that ‘followed the money’ for the photo ID proposal. And, sure enough, it lead right to the Koch Brothers, big banks, and other corporate 1%ers.
Take a look at the press conference that TAMN held last week:
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Who’s effected if the measure passes?
According to Take Action Minnesota’s report, The 1% v. Democracy in Minnesota, nearly 700,000 African Americans, Latinos, the elderly, and people with disabilities, will lose the right to vote. In other words: folks who have been disproportionately effected by the economy, and who typically vote democrat.
Sooo, what about all those people who commit voter fraud – won’t it make it harder for them? Maybe–if that was an actual issue in Minnesota. To this day, NOT ONE person in Minnesota has been convicted of voter fraud. That’s right. Zero. So, it makes you wonder why it’s such a hot issue for republicans and the 1%.
Why it matters to all of us
Voting is one of our most fundamental rights, and the core of our democracy.
If anything, we should be expanding access to voting for all eligible citizens, not creating new, useless barriers that waste tax payers money.
Furthermore, if the Koch Brothers, Minnesota Majority, big banks and other 1%ers get their way in Minnesota, they will surely back similar initiatives in your state soon.
