Parties propose voter fraud laws
One Republican bill would require voters to show a state-issued photo ID in order to vote.
Published Feb. 17, 2006
Democrats and Republicans in the Missouri General Assembly have introduced two bills with different plans to change Missouri's voting system to prevent fraud.
"I do think that we want to make sure that our system has integrity, it's just a matter of how you go about doing that," Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, said.
One Republican bill by Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, would require potential voters to show a state-issued photo ID in order to vote.
Rep. Ed Robb, R-Columbia, said though he plans to support Scott's bill if it makes it to the House, he also plans to introduce a less cumbersome voting-integrity initiative.
"I think there are some issues about how difficult this idea is to implement or the expense involved, but in order to maintain the integrity of the election process in this state and in this country, you need a measure like this," Robb said.
The Democratic proposal, announced in a news release from Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's office Thursday, would address several issues regarding voter fraud.
"Secretary Carnahan's proposals are common sense ideas to address issues head on without making it harder for Missourians, especially the elderly and disabled, to vote," Carnahan spokeswoman Stacie Temple said. "She believes it's common sense for people to have to identify themselves at the polls, and in Missouri they do."
The proposals from Carnahan would increase the penalties for many types of voter fraud, including pretending to be someone else at a polling place. The proposals also would increase the state oversight of organizers of voter registration and provide online training for voter-registration gatherers.
Boone County Clerk Wendy Noren said students who otherwise would be able to vote but do not have a Missouri driver's license would not be able to vote under the Republican plan.
"I don't want to spend all of Election Day telling students they can't vote after we've spent so much time getting them registered," Noren said.
Noren expressed doubts that the Republican measure would help prevent voter fraud. She said most voter fraud comes through vote-buying schemes, absentee ballots and multiple registrations.
Democrats expressed concerns that potential voters without state-issued IDs would be disenfranchised if the Republican measure passes.
"The photo ID idea has many problems, not the least of which being the 170,000 to 190,000 Missourians that don't have a photo ID," Baker said. "We want to be very careful before we put any barriers in front of people exercising their constitutional right to vote."