HCS HB 1044 -- ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  May (Deeken)

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

This substitute changes the laws regarding elections.  In its
main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Repeals the provisions authorizing the state to conduct and
pay for presidential primary elections;

(2)  Allows voters, for elections held on or before September 1,
2007, to provide photographic identification issued by Missouri,
any other state, or the United States which conforms to certain
requirements unless they can provide a copy of a current utility
bill, bank statement, government check, or other government
document containing the voter's name and address.  Documents
containing photos issued by the United States armed forces,
Missouri National Guard, or the United States Department of
Veteran Affairs will be sufficient to allow an individual to
vote.  Individuals may also vote if they have a disability, a
religious belief prohibiting photographic identification, were
born on or before January 1, 1941, or could not obtain
photographic identification because of the cost or time
constraints;

(3)  Prohibits voters from using utility bills, bank statements,
government checks, and other nonphotographic documents as a means
of identification for elections held after September 1, 2007.
However, exemptions regarding disability, age, religious belief,
and failure to obtain photographic identification because of the
cost and time constraints will be allowed;

(4)  Allows voters in all elections to return to the polling
place with the required form of identification and vote a regular
ballot.  An individual may also vote a regular ballot if
personally identified by two election judges.  If a voter lacks
the required form of identification, her or she may vote a
provisional ballot which will be counted if it conforms to the
requirements of Section 115.430, RSMo.  Affidavits will be used
for provisional ballots and exceptions to the voter
identification requirements to ensure that a voter is entitled to
vote.  The falsification of affidavits may result in a criminal
penalty.  However, even if an individual declines to sign an
affidavit, he or she will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot
under Section 115.430; and

(5)  Requires the Secretary of State to pay for all forms of
identification necessary in order to vote using funds from the
newly created Voter Identification Fund.  Notification of the new
voting requirements through multiple channels of media is
required, and mobile processing units will be used to provide
identification to the elderly.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
Income of Unknown to a Cost of $6,931,441 in FY 2008, an Income
of Unknown to a Cost of $8,777,605 in FY 2009, and an Income of
Unknown to a Cost of $4,159,487 in FY 2010.  Estimated Income on
Other State Funds of Unknown in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that photographic identification will
help ensure the integrity of the electoral process.  Everyone
will be allowed to vote by either regular or provisional ballot,
and the state will pay the full costs of all photographic
identification.  Eliminating the presidential primary will save
money.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Deeken.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri has no
voter fraud, and the bill may impose unfunded mandates.
Physically disabled individuals might not be able to sign
affidavits to vote provisional ballots.  Presidential primaries
should remain in place so that citizens rather than party
caucuses choose the presidential candidates.

Testifying against the bill were Office of the Secretary of
State; Kathleen Weinschenk; and Service Employees' International
Union, Local 50.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that it is difficult
for many disabled individuals to obtain photographic
identification.

Testifying on the bill was Whole Person Incorporated.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am