Some want voters to show photo ID

ST. LOUIS -- Some state officials think voters shouldn't just sign in when they go the polls in Missouri; they want them to be required to show a photo ID as well.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Matt Blunt outlined the proposal in St. Louis on Friday, calling for all voters to show photo identification before they cast ballots. Currently, polling-place judges can ask to see identification, but they aren't required to do so.

"We think it's one of the best steps toward preventing fraud," said Chuck Pryor, Blunt's legislative director.

Pryor testified at Harris-Stowe State College before a special House panel established to propose changes in the state's election laws in the wake of controversy over last November's election as well as the March primary in St. Louis.

Democrats have alleged that thousands of people were kept from voting last Nov. 7, while Republicans said that hundreds of illegal ballots were cast.

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond had backed the photo ID proposal on Monday when he appeared before a similar state Senate panel. The Missouri Republican contends the practice might curb vote fraud.

But Rep. James Seigfreid, D-Marshall, chairman of the House panel, said some people, particularly the elderly, will resist the idea.