Photo IDs might be required to vote
Under a proposed law, non-driver photo IDs would be free.
Published April 28, 2006
Under a proposed bill, Missouri citizens would need to obtain a photo identification card to vote in the 2008 election.
Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, said he is worried the new bill that passed the Missouri Senate on Monday could disenfranchise poor and elderly voters.
"Basically, they are making it so you have to qualify to vote by paying a partisan office $12, which is essentially a poll tax," Graham said. "The people who do not have photo IDs are the people that had their Medicaid cut and the Republicans don't want them to vote against them at the polls, so they are going to put up hurdles."
Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, sponsored the legislation and said the bill is important to restore faith in the election process.
"Photo identifications are the gold standard in our society to get on a plane or rent a video," Scott said. "Voting is one of the most important things, so we should have it protected with photo IDs."
According to the bill, registered voters would need to have a photo identification card to vote in the 2008 election.
If they did not have a photo ID during the 2006 election, they could still vote through a provisional ballot.
Scott said he hopes that the between 2006 and 2008, voters learn to have their photo IDs when going to the polls.
Also, under the proposed legislation, non-driver photo IDs would be free if a person signs an affidavit stating that he or she needs if for voting purposes.
"We worked a lot of hours with a lot of people to make sure we work out any of the problems with this bill," Scott said. "If this simple act will stop even one person from illegally voting, then it is worth it."
The new law would have exemptions for people born before Jan. 1, 1941, and for mentally and physically disabled people.
If the bill becomes law, Scott said the state plans to send out letters to all registered voters and run radio advertisements.
Also, they plan to send at least nine vans out to community events to create non-driving photo IDs.
Graham said he filibustered the bill for eight hours this week before it passed the Senate.
"I'm opposed to legislation that makes it harder for a citizen to execute their constitutional right to vote," Graham said.
Scott said he hopes the bill will make it through the House before the end of the legislative session in May.
"There are those fighting against it, but there is still plenty of time for it to become law," Scott said.