TakeAction report looks to link Voter ID to bank donations

Voter ID opponents TakeAction Minnesota stepped up efforts to block a proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday, alleging that donations from a few Minnesota banks and other business interests are behind a push to suppress voting.

Releasing a report it called “The 1% vs. Democracy in Minnesota” TakeAction Minnesota looked to paint political contributions from banks to various business- and Republican-aligned political groups as the reason behind this session’s push for a Voter ID constitutional amendment.

“The banks absolutely have a responsibility and are the drivers of this amendment,” TakeAction Executive Director Dan McGrath said at a Capitol news conference releasing the report. “It’s an attempt to fundamentally change the rules of our democracy.”

The 24-page report that McGrath said was based on public finance records connects nearly $500,000 from banker-led or banker-funded groups to more than two dozen Republican lawmakers, some of whom are specifically co-authoring Voter ID legislation this session. Specifically, the report also singles out House Speaker Kurt Zellers and House Majority Leader Matt Dean as beneficiaries of the business-tied campaign funds.

McGrath was pressed on whether there was any evidence that the campaign donations were specifically tied to an effort to suppress voting as opposed to a more general business-backed agenda favored by Republicans. In response, he said the lack of any voter fraud in Minnesota shows that the push for the law is itself unnecessary, and that the source of it was instead the interests and donations of the organizations singled out in the report.

“The real conversation we need to be having in our state,” he said, “is who stands to gain from Voter ID.”

TakeAction’s report comes amid a week of increasing opposition from those opposed to Voter ID legislation. Efforts started last week at a lengthy Senate hearing during which a opponents gave hours of testimony against the bill. On Tuesday, more than a dozen faith leaders brought their case to the Capitol and Republican leadership. And on Thursday, McGrath said opponents of the bill will rally and hold a day of action at the Capitol against the bill.

Opposition aside, though, by most accounts Republicans are committed to pushing ahead and have the votes to put the issue on the ballot this fall. The increasing likelihood that the bill will pass appears to have focused opponents, but whether they’ll ultimately succeed in blocking the bill, or the amendment if on the ballot, remains to be seen.

“People have really woken up to the extraordinary threat that Voter ID poses to our democracy,” McGrath said. “We’re going to keep up a steady drumbeat.”

One Response to “TakeAction report looks to link Voter ID to bank donations”

1. J. Moe Says:
   February 9th, 2012 at 2:41 pm

   Mr. McGrath simply states his opinion in conclusive sound-bites. What, Mr. McGrath, is the “extraordinary threat” to our democracy? Just a day or two ago, Rep. Ellison gathered a diverse group of what he probably would like to call potentially disenfranchised Minnesotans, including a student from the University of St. Thomas who, when asked, claimed that voter I.D.s would prevent out of state students from voting in Minnesota elections. Excuse me–they’re not supposed to vote in MN. but, rather by absentee ballot in their home states! I would bet, and now I’m stating my opinion, that most if not all of the persons trotted out by Mr. Ellison in opposition to voter I.D.s already have one; they either drive, or cash checks, or use credit cards to make purchases, or belong to Costco or Sam’s Club, or have a Library card, or a passport, or a student I.D., or, or, or…..! The hardship claim is a canard! The I.D. will be offered free to the applicant and at enough outlets so that obtaining one will be a simple matter. If all of my opinion is backed by fact, then, again Mr. McGrath, what is the extraordinary threat to democracy that consumes you?