A majority of Missouri residents said they wanted voters to have to show a photo ID at the polls, and lawmakers obliged. Now, state officials must figure out how to pay for the law, which goes into effect June 1. Gov. Eric Greitens has said the budget to implement the law should be $300,000. Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said Tuesday that it’ll cost more like $1.5 million. Both of those are far less than the previous administration’s $4.26 million estimate, which Ashcroft said “included some things that aren’t required under the law, like sending multiple letters to every registered voter in the state of Missouri.” Ashcroft didn’t address the disparity between his and Greitens’ proposed funding.
Voter ID laws have been put in place in several states over the past few years, including Kansas. Supporters of such laws say they protect against voter fraud, while those opposed say it disproportionately affects minorities.
Former Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander, who fought against the state’s new voter ID law, announced Tuesday that he has formed a nonprofit to address voter rights.
Full Article: Missouri officials’ next step: Deciding how to pay for voter ID law | St. Louis Public Radio.