Bill moving up Minnesota primary passes House

The Associated Press
February 25, 2010
ST. PAUL, MN

The Minnesota House has approved a bill establishing an earlier primary election.

The House passed it 126 to 5 today.

The bill moves the primary from its traditional September date to Aug. 10. The move is to comply with a federal law to allow time for military voters overseas to mail in ballots.

The Senate already adopted the change.

Major amendments to the bill were defeated, including one requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Sponsoring Rep. Steve Simon says the House bill differs from a Senate version. The two must be blended before a bill can reach Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who supports the change.

Simon wants final action by March 15 to give local election officials time to prepare.

http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/sta ... 002e0.html