Critics on Friday challenged the ballot summary for a proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution that would clear the way to require voters to show photo identification at the polls. The Republican-led Legislature passed the constitutional amendment last year and targeted it for this year’s ballot. The measure would permit separate legislation that requires a photo ID and establishes an early voting period. Opponents contend the ballot summary developed by the Legislature is misleading and unfair. “This is the worst one I’ve ever seen, by far the worst one I have ever seen. It fails under any standard,” attorney Heidi Doerhoff Vollet said. “It’s just false and it’s wrong, and it needs to be corrected.”
The ballot title approved by the Legislature asks voters: “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to adopt the Voter Protection Act and allow the General Assembly to provide by general law for advance voting prior to election day, voter photo identification requirements, and voter requirements based on whether one appears to vote in person or by absentee ballot?” The phrase “Voter Protection Act” never actually appears in the constitutional amendment. Critics also contend the ballot summary is misleading because the Legislature already has authority to enact early voting laws and the measure would actually set limits on advance voting.
Cole County Circuit Judge Pat Joyce heard arguments Friday in the case, which involves two lawsuits. Vollett is handling one challenge, while the other lawsuit was filed by more than a half-dozen plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Full Article: Judge considers challenge to Mo. voter ID measure.