Throughout history, people have struggled to gain the right to vote, and Minnesota might make it harder for you to exercise that right. Minnesota does not require a current photo ID to vote, but soon it might.

Voter ID advocates hope to pass the bill again and send it to the citizens of the state for approval, thus bypassing the governor. Advocates for this say having a current photo ID is to prevent voter fraud. However, voter fraud isnâÄôt as common as one might think. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, impersonation fraud is rare at the ballot box.

According to some studies, as many as 12 percent of people in the U.S. eligible to vote do not have a government-issued photo ID. Passing a Voter ID bill here would be extremely detrimental and costly not only to students but also to seniors, people of color, low-income voters and people with disabilities. If this bill passes, many will find it more difficult to have their voices heard. Voting is a right and should not be suppressed.