New campaign launched to require photo ID for voting

Some Missouri lawmakers are once again pushing to change the state’s voting laws.

A new campaign has been launched in hopes of requiring a photo ID a the voting booth to prevent voting fraud.

The campaign is being led by Secretary of State candidate Jay Ashcroft.

He was joined in the Capitol Thursday by Senator Kurt Schaefer and Representative Chuck Bayse.

He’s traveling to seven different cities across Missouri calling for signatures to get this issue on the ballot.

What this provision would do is change the Missouri constitution to allow districts to require voters to show a picture ID before they vote.

This wouldn’t change the voting process too much, since most people keep their driver’s license on them and non-driver’s licenses also count as a photo ID.

Ashcroft said this would help to verify the person’s identity and crack down on voter fraud.

Opponents said the measure is an unnecessary change to the constitution and that it infringes on a person’s entitlement to vote after registration. Supporters said eliminating fraud is something that just makes sense.

“One of the things that is key for the state of Missouri to do in a legal capacity is guarantee the integrity of elections and election results, and I think this is a key step in doing that,” said Sen. Schaefer.

“I think it’s time for the people to just bring this common sense solution to help mitigate election fraud and get that passed in the state,” said Ashcroft.

While there have been several reported cases of fraud throughout the state, no one has been prosecuted.