FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Contact: Phil Krinkie

October 23, 2012                                                                   Ph: (612) 919-4945

Taxpayers League Weighs in

on Photo ID

Radio campaign focuses on common sense

approach to Voter ID

ST. PAUL, MN –The Taxpayers League of Minnesota will start airing radio ads statewide on the issue of requiring a photo ID to vote. The ads are intended to educate voters that the process of showing a photo is an ordinary part of life in our complex and security conscious world.

As Chair of the House State Government Finance Committee in 2001, Phil Krinkie authored legislation providing a photo ID requirement for voting. The legislation passed the House but didn’t become law. “It was a good idea eleven years ago and it is still an important tool to provide a secure voting process,” stated Phil Krinkie, now President of the Taxpayers League.

Every day we are asked for our photo ID in order to complete the simplest of transactions. Requiring this simple and free form of identification is a quick and easy method to ensure our election process is fair and safe.

“Our goal is to educate voters that the requirement of an ID to vote is a common sense solution to ensure integrity in our election process and nothing more,” said Phil Krinkie.

The objective of these ads is to provide voters with a “no spin”, “no hype” message in response to how other groups have characterized the photo ID requirement.

Listen to the ad here:

Here is the script:

How important is your right to vote?

So important that we've fought wars to protect it -- sacrificed to preserve it-- passed laws to guarantee it.

 Today, we still have more to do to protect your vote – and make sure your vote counts.

It means showing a Photo ID…something we do every day. 

 When you cash a check. Pick up a prescription. Use your credit card. Drive a car.

It's commonsense.

Requiring a photo ID won’t prevent voting. It will protect the fairness of our system and make voting more honest and transparent.

 It will protect your vote by making sure it doesn't get cancelled out by someone who isn't legally permitted to vote.

If 30 other states can make an ID requirement work, don’t you think Minnesota can, too?

Everyone wants fair elections and requiring a photo ID will help ensure that.

It’s…just…commonsense. 

 Minnesota Commonsense.

 Paid for by Taxpayers League of Minnesota