93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Legislation requiring Missourians to show a photo ID when they vote has been signed into law by Governor Mike Parson.
The governor signed House Bill 1878 during a Wednesday Statehouse ceremony in Jefferson City. The bill is sponsored by State Rep. John Simmons (R-Washington). The law will take effect on August 28, so it will not impact the August primary.
Missouri GOP Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has made voter ID passage his top priority, saying it will ensure election integrity. The bill has also been a priority for House Speaker Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold) and legislative Republicans. They say it will prevent voter fraud.
State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) and other Democrats say it will disenfranchise voters. Smith has told 939 the Eagle that any provision you put between someone and the ballot box will slow down voting. He’s hopeful that the courts will strike it down.
A progressive group called “Missouri Moving Forward” has said that 200,000 Missouri voters lack ID. Secretary Ashcroft says his office helps Missourians obtain a free voter ID. Ashcroft also has said that voter ID will not stop any legal registered voter from voting.
