Area election officials mostly like reform plans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As he watched the presidential election fiasco unfold in Florida in 2000, Stoddard County Clerk Don White says, he got cold chills.

What the nation witnessed was every election official's worst nightmare magnified by worldwide attention.

In an attempt to prevent a similar occurrence in Missouri and address alleged voter fraud in St. Louis, the General Assembly is considering major election reform legislation.

Though he supports some of the ideas being discussed, the reform effort is making White, who says Stoddard County hasn't experienced any election problems, a little nervous.

"I just hope they are very careful and look this thing over really well," White said. "We probably have the best elections we've ever had in the county. I hope they don't try to fix what isn't broken."

The Senate has sent an election reform bill to the House of Representatives, which has given initial approval to its own measure. The proposals are largely similar, though the Senate version has stronger anti-fraud provisions.

The expansive bills include topics ranging from authorizing the state to pay a larger share of counties' election expenses to banning the use of controversial butterfly ballots in most cases and encouraging more citizens to serve as election judges.

Provisional voting

Two key sections in both bills would establish provisional voting and early voting.

Provisional voting would allow those whose voter registration can't be immediately confirmed to cast ballots, which would be set aside pending verification that the voter is indeed registered.

Butler County Clerk John L. Dunivan says provisional voting could help ensure that everyone who is entitled to vote has the opportunity to do so. However, he foresees potential problems.

For example, a large number of provisional votes could substantially delay the results in a tight election, Dunivan said.

"We are known for close elections in Butler County," Dunivan said. "How much time are we supposed to invest to see if they are legal voters or not?"

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller called potential delays in results in exchange for allowing all legally cast votes to count "a fair trade-off." He said there likely wouldn't be a huge number of provisional votes in rural counties, though the number could be significant in urban jurisdictions.

As to early voting, Miller says it could be a good idea, if certain conditions are met.

"I don't have any problems with it, as long as we get the money to pay for it," Miller said.

Only in certain years

The bills call for early voting only in presidential election years, and then only if the legislature appropriates the funding.

Polling places would open two weeks before an election and could be in operation on weekends. Early voting would cease at 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the election.

Scott County Clerk Rita Milam said advance voting would require changes in standard election procedures. She echoed the sentiment that state funding would be required to hire the additional staff and run polling places.

"We will just have to make it work, it that's what they decide to do," Milam said. "If they are going to provide the money, that would help a lot. If counties are going to do it on their own, it would be almost impossible."

Dunivan said giving citizens more convenient times to vote would increase voter participation.

"I'm a strong supporter of early voting," Dunivan said. "If they would make it legal, I would go out and set up spots in Wal-Mart. We can't twist voters' arms, but we are only a real democracy if at least 50 percent of the people are voting."

ID requirement possible

As to the proposed anti-fraud provisions, area the county clerks say voter fraud is more of an urban than rural problem.

"I'd say at least one of my four election judges at a polling place knows 90 percent of the people that come in," White said.

The Senate bill would require voters to show identification such as a drivers' license in order to vote. Currently, a voter registration card, which doesn't carry a photograph, is all that is needed.

The House version is missing this provision, in part because while most Missourians have a photo ID, not all do. Opponents fear that could potentially disenfranchise elderly and disabled citizens who don't drive.

A state-issued voter ID card with a photo is a possible option, but the state would have to pay for it. Forcing citizens to pay a fee in order to vote would be unconstitutional.

The Senate measure would allow give the secretary of state, Missouri's chief election official, subpoena power to investigate vote fraud. Opponents say such powers should remain solely in the hands of the attorney general.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder said he was hopeful the House would agree to the tougher anti-fraud provisions.

"It makes it easier for honest citizens to vote but harder for bad folks to cheat," Kinder said.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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