The Missouri House has approved legislation that would reinstate a voter ID requirement that was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court last year. When they go to vote, Missourians will need to present a photo ID, but the bill will also allow people without a photo ID to cast a provisional ballot.
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The bill’s sponsor Rep. John Simmons (R) said, “This bill is a necessity as a response to the Missouri Supreme Court judgment in a case in January 2020 called Priorities USA that utterly and wholly gutted the intent and practicality of the statute.”
The legislature approved a voter ID bill in 2016 that required a photo ID at the polling place, but also allowed those without a photo ID to vote by provisional ballot or by signing an affidavit stating they don’t have a form of personal identification approved for voting. The bill approved by the legislature was contingent upon the passage of a constitutional amendment, which 63 percent of Missourians supported.
The Missouri Supreme Court in January 2020 then struck down the affidavit provision saying it was contradictory and misleading. The removal of the affidavit requirement prevented the legislation from effectively impacting voter identification procedures.
The bill approved by the House this week removes the affidavit language that was struck down, and it will allow voters without an ID to vote by provisional ballot. In order for the provisional ballot to be counted, election officials would have to verify the voter’s signature based on voter records, or the voter would need to return later that day with a valid photo ID.
“Preventing fraud so legal votes of our constituents are not disenfranchised by allowing in-person fraudulent votes to be cast illegally is the main focus of this bill,” said the bill’s sponsor.