HCS HB 66 -- VOTER REGISTRATION

SPONSOR:  May (Wallace)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 6 to 4.

This substitute requires persons registering to vote to provide
proof of United States citizenship.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of a Cost
of $16,964 in FY 2006, an Income of $0 in FY 2007, and an Income
of $0 in FY 2008.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2006, FY
2007, and FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will not place a
hardship on voters, and current statutes do not provide election
authorities with a means to question someone's citizenship.  Only
United States citizens should be allowed to vote in elections,
because allowing non-citizens to vote opens the electoral process
to manipulation by foreign governments.  A voter identification
card is a "breeder document" from which other false
identification documents can be obtained.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wallace; Senator
Taylor; and Concerned Women for America of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it will be a huge
inconvenience for first-time voters.  It only places more hurdles
in front of persons who wish to vote and participate in the
electoral process.  County clerks and election authorities will
bear the brunt of voter dissatisfaction.  As written, the bill
will apply to currently registered voters who move intrastate.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Association of County
Clerks and Election Authorities.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm