Republican Missouri legislative leaders, backed by veto-proof majorities, will try again in 2016 to require voters to show photo identification at the polls, despite numerous failed attempts over the past decade. Sen. Will Kraus, a Lee’s Summit Republican running for secretary of state, pre-filed a proposed constitutional amendment to allow for photo identification and a bill that would require voters to present government-issued photo ID. GOP House members pre-filed similar measures. A change to the state’s constitution would be necessary before implementing a photo ID law because the Missouri Supreme Court struck down a similar measure in 2006 as unconstitutional.
Kraus said photo ID protects against people fraudulently impersonating other voters. Fraud has not been a significant problem in Missouri, according to Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander, whose office supervises elections.
Kraus’ proposal would allow people to obtain free state photo ID cards if they don’t already have a driver’s license, military ID or other government-issued identification. “My goal would be to make sure that we secure the election process and then make sure we do not disenfranchise anyone,” Kraus said.
Full Article: Missouri lawmakers renew push for photo ID for voters – Fairfield Citizen.