JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House is once again pushing forward with a Republican priority to require photo identification at the polls, after similar measures were stymied by the Senate or courts in recent years.
The House gave initial approval Wednesday to a proposed constitutional amendment that would go before voters in 2016 and also endorsed a bill that would institute the voter photo ID requirements if the constitutional amendment is approved.
Both measures need a second House vote and also would have to pass the Senate, where Democrats previously have blocked the proposed photo ID requirements.
Supporters say the requirement is needed to ensure the integrity of the election process. Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said the measure would protect individuals' voting rights by making sure someone does not try to vote for another person.
"It ensures that someone did not take their vote and steal what is rightfully their vote," Brattin said.
Democrats say the Republican proposal could make it harder for older people, minorities and women to vote, because they might have more difficulty getting the underlying documents such as birth certificates or marriage licenses that are needed for a state photo ID.
About 220,000 registered voters lack a valid government-issued photo identification, according to a 2014 report by Secretary of State Jason Kander, who opposes the measure.
Some Democratic lawmakers said the Republicans wanted to suppress voters who are traditionally supporters of Democratic candidates. Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, said the measure abridged a fundamental constitutional right.
"Voter suppression is about fraudulently changing the rules on election day just to help you win," Newman said.
The bill allows those without an ID to cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted if the election authority can match the signature provided on the provisional ballot to the one on file. Opponents of the measure said during hearings on the issue some people's signatures change drastically, particularly if they are elderly or have hand tremors.
The Missouri Supreme Court overturned a photo ID requirement passed by the Republican-led Legislature in 2006, ruling it violated the state's constitution by imposing too great a burden on voting rights. Since then, lawmakers have been pursuing a constitutional amendment specifically authorizing a photo ID mandate.
A Cole County judge struck down a proposed ballot measure to amend the constitution in 2012, ruling the wording voters would see was insufficient and unfair in describing the provisions.
This year's bill would require a non-expired photo identification issued by Missouri or the federal government.
College IDs or expired documents would not be accepted, placing Missouri alongside Indiana and Texas as one of the most restrictive states for photo ID. Requirements for photo ID at the polls have been challenged in several states, including in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
The bill would require the state to pay for a free identification card for registered voters who do not have another form of photo ID and for a birth certificate needed to obtain the identification. If the Legislature does not appropriate money to reimburse local election authorities for expenses or for the birth certificates, the photo identification requirement would not be enforced.
Voter ID measures are HJR1 and HB30.
Online:
Legislature: http://www.house.mo.gov
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