House Republicans have introduced a second anti-voting bill, HF210. In advocating for this bill, they are arguing that we have millions of dollars to pay for a system that does not address a single real problem, even as they slash billions from education and the social safety net.

This bill will have the exact same problems as the original anti-voting bill: It will prevent the old, poor, and disabled from voting. Many elderly citizens, especially in rural areas, can’t easily make it to Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) offices that can easily be several hours away from them. Many also have trouble obtaining the proper documentation. Many of the poor working two or more jobs can’t make it to DVS offices during their limited hours. And the new bill adds new burdens for the disabled by barring guardians and health care aides from assisting them.

What makes this particularly heinous is that the bill will not prevent a single case of fraud. The only thing it will achieve is stopping citizens from exercising their lawful right to vote.There is no evidence whatsoever of any case of voter impersonation in the state of Minnesota. While there have been a small number of cases of felon voting, this bill would not do a thing to fix that problem.

So while the bill would not solve any problem, it would cost millions of dollars. At a press conference today, former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer demonstrated the new machinery that would be required. Providing it for every single precinct in the state would cost millions and millions, and for what?

I can’t imagine the rationale behind ever implementing a system that would stop Minnesotans from exercising their right to vote. But to spend millions of dollars on that new system, at a time when we’re slashing essential services from the budget, is the ultimate insult to the people of this state.