JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Senate gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill expanding the Secretary of State’s legal authority regarding election offenses.
Senate Bill 786 would allow the Missouri Secretary of State to investigate an alleged election offense, as well as allow local prosecutors to refer an election offense to the Secretary of State’s office for prosecution. The aim of the legislation is to help secure the integrity of elections, said bill sponsor Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit).
“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democratic process,” Kraus said. “Election offenses undermine the election process, and cases of fraud need to be fully investigated and prosecuted.”
As Missouri’s chief election officer, the Secretary of State oversees all elections held in the state. Under current law, the Secretary of State’s office must refer potential cases of voter fraud to local agencies to investigate and prosecute the crime. Senate Bill 786 would allow local prosecutors to refer cases to the Secretary of State’s office if they do not have the resources to prosecute the case.
In comparison to the violent crimes they often handle, election offenses can sometimes fall lower on a county prosecutor’s priority list, Kraus said.
“There are instances local prosecutors might need assistance in ensuring election offenses are investigated and prosecuted fully,” Kraus said. “Giving the chief election officer in the state legal authority in these cases will help ensure that voting fraud is not overlooked.”
Extending legal authority to the Secretary of State in voting fraud cases would streamline the process and prevent election crimes from falling through the cracks, Kraus said.
“Voting fraud compromises our elections process, especially when it goes unpunished,” Kraus said. “This bill will go a long way in ensuring someone is focusing on protecting the integrity of our elections.”
