HB 1044 -- Elections

Sponsor:  Deeken

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

(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 cost or time constraints;

(3)  Prohibits voters from using utility bills, bank statements,
government checks, and other non-photographic 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 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.  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 a 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 bill contains an emergency clause.

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