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Initiative Petition Relating to Laws Requiring Voter Identification Approved

Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced an initiative petition relating to laws requiring voter identification met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for initiative petition 2016-064 reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow a law that would require voters to identify themselves and verify their qualifications to vote by providing identification, which may include a valid government-issued photo identification?

The proposal will result in no direct costs or savings for state and local governmental entities. If the state legislature passes a general law as allowed by this proposal the potential costs or savings would be based on the legislation established, which is unknown at this time.

The petition, which would amend Article VIII of Missouri Constitution, was submitted by John Ashcroft, 12138 Mirror Lake Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146.

Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2016 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 governor’s election from six of the state’s eight congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2016 ballot are due to the secretary of state’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 8, 2016.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the secretary of state and attorney general. The secretary of state then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words, and the state auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the attorney general. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.