HCS HB 537 -- QUALIFICATIONS FOR CANDIDATES

SPONSOR:  May

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 8 to 3.

This substitute prohibits persons convicted of or who plead
guilty to felonies from running for public elected office until
pardoned by the Governor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the substitute is necessary
because felons should not be allowed to hold elected office.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Dixon.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that voting rights are
the cornerstone of the democratic process and stripping felons of
the right to vote would disparately impact minorities.

Testifying against the bill were American Civil Liberties Union
of Eastern Missouri; Missouri Association for Social Welfare; and
Missouri Catholic Conference.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am