Mo. House backs voter ID legislation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House has approved legislation that would require voters to show government-issued photo ID to cast ballots.

The House version of the legislation also allows voters to cast ballots before Election Day in statewide elections. The House passed the legislation 99-52 Wednesday, returning it to the Senate.

The legislation is linked to a proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize voter ID and advanced voting laws. That constitutional amendment would appear on the 2012 statewide ballot, if it receives final approval from lawmakers before their session ends May 13.

Republicans have said the voter identification measures will help prevent fraud by keeping unregistered voters from casting ballots.

Some Democratic critics say the ID requirements could end up excluding legal immigrants or older voters.