Some local legislators have raised concerns about voter fraud in regards to a proposal that would allow Missouri residents to vote six weeks prior to elections. But a man involved in the early voting effort said he thinks allowing people to go to the polls prior to Election Day could actually decrease the potential for fraud. More than 300,000 signatures were gathered on a petition to let voters decide whether they want to approve six weeks of early voting before elections. “I think Missouri voters are entitled to have robust, expansive early voting that will make it easier for them to have their voices heard,” said Matt Dameron of Kansas City, who was involved in the petition drive. The petition is now in the process of being certified, and the six-week early voting question could go on the November ballot.
State Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Pacific, said allowing six weeks of early voting could open the door to voter fraud. He said he thinks it’s important to accommodate voters in the election process but that the integrity of elections must be upheld.
Likewise, State Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, said six weeks of voting is “way too long” and a horrible idea.
This “invites and begs” voter fraud, Nieves said, adding that going from the current one day of voting to six weeks is much too big of a jump.
The risk of voter fraud would be heightened simply by keeping the polls open for such a long time, Curtman and Nieves said.
But Dameron said early voting would provide local election authorities more time to scrutinize people who want to cast a ballot.
Full Article: Early Voting Supporter Dismisses Lawmakers’ Voter Fraud Concerns – The Missourian: County.