JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Senate committee overseeing election-related bills approved legislation giving Missourians a say on photo identification requirements for voters Monday.
The Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections committee passed House Joint Resolution 53, which would put a constitutional amendment on a statewide ballot allowing voter ID requirements. The committee also approved House Bill 1631, which would implement a photo ID requirement for voters should Missourians approve the House Joint Resolution 53 amendment.
Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit), who is handling the legislation in the Senate and sponsored the companion resolution and bill, said Missourians deserve to vote on this issue.
“Voter photo ID is a common sense way to protect the integrity of elections,” Kraus said. “In my experience, most people are surprised we don’t already require a photo ID to vote.”
If approved by a statewide vote, House Joint Resolution 53, sponsored by Rep. Tony Duggar (R-Hartville), would not automatically institute a voter ID requirement. The Legislature would also have to pass a bill to institute the requirement, which House Bill 1631 would accomplish.
Without a photo identification requirement, Missouri elections are very susceptible to voter fraud, Kraus said.
“Right now, all you need to vote is a utility bill,” Kraus said. “It would not be difficult for someone to take another person’s utility bill and impersonate them in order to commit voter fraud.”
The legislation will be placed on the Senate calendar for debate before the entire body. The resolution, which is currently without amendments, would only need approval from the Senate to be placed on a statewide ballot. House Bill 1631 would have to pass the Senate in the same form as the House, then would go to governor’s desk.
