Minnesota faith leaders discuss voter ID laws at D.C. conference

Several Minnesotans are in Washington, D.C., today to discuss voters ID laws at a joint meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Conference of National Black Churches.

Attorney General Eric Holder delivered the keynote at the Faith Leaders Summit in downtown D.C., telling attendees that he will uphold the Voting Rights Act of 1965, including a provision that states that have historically disenfranchised black voters must clear any changes to voting law or electoral systems with the Justice Department.

Minnesota is among a host of states that have recently approved or are considering laws that require voters to have state-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or student ID card, in order to vote.

Late last year, the Justice Department blocked a South Carolina law -- very much like the constitutional amendment that Minnesotans will vote on in November -- that would require voters to present photo identification at the polls. Opponents of Minnesota's ballot issue argue that the law would disproportionately suppress turnout among eligible minority voters. Supporters say voter ID laws are needed to prevent election fraud.

The Rev. Jerry McAfee of New Salem Baptist Church, Imam Makram El-Amin of Masjid An-Nur, Reverend Alfred Babington of His Works United, Bishop Richard Howell of Shiloh Temple International Ministries, Rev. Mary Flowers Spratt of Greater Mt. Nebo Community Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Charles Foye of Christ Temple Apostolic Church and Clyde Bellecourt of the American Indian Movement all registered to attend the event.

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Congressional Black Caucus member, also attended the summit, which coincided with an annual National Conference of Black Churches conference. Ellison has vigorously campaigned against Minnesota's voter ID amendment.

The summit also featured panels on the state of voting rights, protecting the non-profit status of churches and efforts get people out to vote this fall.