Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the Voter ID bill Thursday, saying it lacked bipartisan support, is too costly and does not do much to address fraud in Minnesota already reliable election system.

But at the same time Dayton also established a "Task Force on Election Integrity" to study and make recommendations to modernize the state’s elections, including addressing how to prevent fraudulent and felon voting.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch criticized the governor's veto:

"I am disappointed that Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed legislation that would dramatically improve the public confidence in the integrity of Minnesota’s election system. Fair and transparent elections are essential to the functioning of our representative government.

"Poll after poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Minnesotans support a photo ID requirement to vote. Gov. Dayton should be looking for opportunities to work with the GOP legislature on election reforms, rather than creating task forces to circumvent the legislative process.”

But DFL State Rep. Ryan Winkler praised Dayton's action:

“Voter ID is costly, unnecessary, and creates barriers to voting for thousands of seniors, students and people with disabilities. I applaud Governor Dayton for protecting the voting rights of Minnesotans and taxpayers with his veto of this misguided bill.

"Republicans are already threatening to put this issue on the ballot in 2012. It would be refreshing if they took some responsibility by first trying to balance the budget before pushing another constitutional amendment. But as they proved this session, it appears bypassing the legislative process is Republicans preferred method of limiting the civil rights of Minnesotans.”