In what is no doubt a strong demonstration of what can only be called obstinacy on the matter of voter photo ID, a state senator has proposed amending the Connecticut Constitution to require voters to present a valid photo ID.

It's one thing to propose muddying the waters of the state's election laws, but it's quite another to defile the state Constitution -- the oldest in the nation -- with a modern poll tax. That takes nerve.

The amendment is a variation of a proposal that has been filed on three separate bills. It appears that one way or another, the proponents of voter photo ID intend to put their plan out there. Already, the move has generated a buzz in the Connecticut blogosphere. 

The bill the amendment targets is a resolution that would amend the state constitution to allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 on Election Day to vote in primaries. It's a good bill. Year after year, high school students come up to the Legislative Office Building, make their case for primary voting rights and are received warmly by legislators from both sides of the aisle. Guess what happens? Year after year, there is usually some bit of parliamentary chicanery that derails the legislation.

Last night, the state Senate had plans to call the bill, which has already been approved by the House, 135-12, but caught wind of the amendment and decided to postpone the vote -- perhaps fearing a drawn out debate into the wee hours of the morning.

I spoke to Sen. Gayle Slossberg, chair of the state's Government Administration and Elections Committee, and she assured me and other pro-democracy activists that she's ready to fight against this modern poll tax. We'll be at the Capitol today rallying senators in opposition to these amendments. For those keeping score in Connecticut (and I know you are), help us out by writing an e-mail to your state senator urging him or her to oppose the photo ID requirement for voting.