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Kander convenes Elections Integrity Task Force

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Secretary of State Jason Kander brought together members of the Elections Integrity Task Force Tuesday, designed to ensure fairness and voter integrity in the upcoming 2016 primary and general elections.

The task force is composed of a bipartisan group of state, county and local election and law enforcement authorities from across Missouri.

“As secretary of state, one of my top priorities is to protect the integrity of Missouri’s elections by making sure only eligible voters vote, and that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot,” Kander said. “Together, we’re working to proactively define clear roles for addressing elections-related issues ahead of the August and November elections.”

The task force has been operating since its inception in 2014 by Kander to establish best practices for election boards across the state.

With higher voter turnout expected this year with hot-button ballot measures and the presidential election in November, the task force discussed issues that may arise when people cast their votes from recent changes made to election laws and Elections Integrity Unit investigations and referrals.

Members of the conference, including Shelby County Clerk Tracy Smith, called it successful.

“In a presidential election year, it’s valuable to come together and make sure election authorities and law enforcement are on the same page when it comes to responding to common elections issues,” Smith said. “It was a productive meeting before the upcoming election season.”

Members of the board include:

  • Secretary of State Jason Kander
  • Patrick Daly, Assistant United States Attorney, Western District of Missouri
  • Jennifer Roy, Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri
  • Special Agent in Charge William Woods, FBI St. Louis Office
  • Special Agent in Charge Eric Jackson, FBI Kansas City Office
  • Chief Darryl Forté, Kansas City Police Department
  • Chief Laura Wright, Camdenton Police Department
  • Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd
  • Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight
  • Carroll County Clerk Peggy McGaugh
  • Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers
  • Shelby County Clerk Tracy Smith