Missouri lawmakers consider voter ID bill similar to Super Tuesday states

Voters in 13 states head to the polls for Super Tuesday. State legislators in five of those states have passed voter ID laws. Missouri state legislators are taking up a similar bill this session.

The bill’s sponsor on the senate side, Sen. Will Kraus, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, said the voter ID bill is necessary to maintain the integrity of state elections.

“We want to makes sure we protect the election process and photo ID is one way to verify who a voter is,” said Kraus.

The bill would require residents to show a photo ID before voting in a public election.

There’s also a joint resolution to amend the state constitution and put in writing similar language about voters having to show identification. Missouri voters would have to approve the resolution.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, a Democrat from St. Louis, has been a vocal opponent of the bill. Nasheed tweeting on Tuesday the bill would disenfranchise voters, also writing, “Tired of extremists trying to make voting harder — not easier.”

The executive director for Progress Missouri, an advocacy group, said the bill is bad for the state, adding it could keep thousands of voters from casting ballots.

“It creates quite a hardship for elderly folks, folks with disabilities, students, lower income folks who might have a couple of jobs. It’s not fair,” said Laura Swinford, Progress Missouri executive director.

The House passed the voter ID bill in January. It passed by 75 votes along party lines with Republicans voting in favor.

After passing the House, the bill has been taken up by two Senate committees. The Senate has the bill on its calendar, but it’s unclear when it will debate it.