The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are joining the voter ID debate.

Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will make the case at 11 a.m. that it would be an unfunded mandate on cities if voters were required to show photo identification in order to cast a ballot.

The proposed constitutional amendment is on the ballot this fall.

Rybak’s and Coleman’s argument isn’t unique. A survey the county filled out estimated that provisional ballots would have cost Hennepin $193,150 for the 2008 election plus $44,625 in startup costs.

Opponents also say that it would disenfranchise those without photo identification, believed to be primarily Democrats, and hurt same-day voter registration.

On the Aug. 14 primary, about 9 percent of Hopkins voters used same-day registration, according to records from the Secretary of State’s Office.

However, supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment say the extra precautions are necessary to ensure fair elections and prevent voter fraud.

Watch Rybak’s and Coleman’s comments in the live video above and then share your thoughts with your neighbors in the comments below.