Missouri’s Photo Voter I.D. Law goes into effect today with those who supported it reassuring voters and those who opposed it continuing to express their concerns.
The new law is a state constitutional amendment that was approved by voters last November.
Jay Ashcroft criticized those who said Wednesday that the new law would make it harder and more confusing to vote. He said “the law will not disenfranchise a single voter.”
In St. Louis Wednesday, St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones called the new law “another poll tax” and said it would make it more difficult for some to vote, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
But Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller said they’re working to make sure anyone can cast a ballot. His office is already preparing for elections in Republic and Fair Grove in August and will send voters there a postcard.
"That let's them know that photo i.d. will now be the requirement to present when you come to vote, and if they don't have that information, how they can obtain that through the Department of Revenue," Schoeller said.
According to Schoeller, if someone doesn’t have a government-issued photo i.d., the state will cover the cost for them to get one, including obtaining the documents needed such as a birth certificate.
And he said if someone shows up at the polls without a proper i.d. they’ll be able to cast a provisional ballot, and their signature on it will be matched with the signature on their voter registration.
To learn more, contact your local county clerk’s office. In Greene County the number is 868-4060.
Other contact info:
ShowIt2Vote Hotline (toll-free): (866) 868-3245 or email ShowIt2Vote@sos.mo.gov
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Information: VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov or call (573) 751-6387to obtain a birth certificate, marriage license or certificate or a divorce decree at no cost.
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