Year after year, Missouri Republicans try to implement a photo ID requirement to vote. Despite overwhelming legislative majorities, they come up short every time. The GOP has watched voter ID bills vetoed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, tossed out by the courts and bargained away by lawmakers in favor of other legislative priorities. The perennial push began anew this week, with the House granting initial approval to a pair of bills sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger, a Hartville Republican. One bill would ask voters to amend the state’s constitution to allow the state to require a photo ID before casting a ballot. This is a necessary step to overcome a state Supreme Court ruling that deemed a previous voter ID law unconstitutional.
If voters approve the constitutional amendment, Dugger’s second bill would actually implement the photo ID requirements.
The House will have to approve both bills once more time before they are sent to the Senate.
Committees in the House and Senate were scheduled to discuss other voter ID bills this week, but those hearings were cancelled due to snow.
Full Article: Missouri voter ID law gets initial House approval.