Voter ID supporters take on AARP

Some supporters of Minnesota's voter ID constitutional amendment are calling for a statewide boycott of the seniors' group AARP for its formal stand against the ballot question.

Representatives of Minnesota Majority and other groups held a news conference today to criticize AARP for opposing a voter ID requirement. A few participants cut up their own AARP membership cards. Minnesota Majority President Jeff Davis said he thinks AARP is out of touch with its members on the voter ID issue.

"They have millions of dollars to spend on these types of campaigns. So certainly, I mean that's why we're basically calling attention to this, " he said. "We think it's disengenuous for them to take a position on this issue that is contrary to most of their members."

Amy McDonough, associate state director for advocacy at AARP, said the organization is concerned that a photo ID requirement could prevent some seniors from voting on Election Day.

"This has been a long-standing AARP position, and it's something that we've advocated for strongly over many decades as an organization," McDonough said.

McDonough said there are 650,000 AARP members in Minnesota.

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