SierraScape October 2016 - February 2017
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by Caroline Pufalt
Conservation Committee Chair
This year a vote "no" is a vote "yes" to protect our state's historic voter protections.
Missouri became a state in 1821. As a slave state which never joined the Confederacy, our state was contested, bloody ground during the Civil War. However, in 1875 Missouri wrote a new state constitution which was dedicated to establishing fair and inclusive ground rules for voting. Missouri was proud to put its contentious past behind and establish some of the strongest constitutional state voter protection language.
We still operate under that basic 1875 constitution, with amendments over time. But no amendments have sought to limit Missouri's historic commitment to voter rights, until now.
Don't Change Our Constitutional Rights
Amendment 6 would change Missouri's constitution to permit required voter photo ID. Amendment 6 only permits the requirement, it does not provide details or limits. But backers have already passed legislation (HB 1631), which permits only narrow types of acceptable ID, which would be implemented if Amendment 6 passes.
Amendment 6 would result in confusion and delays at the polls. It would disenfranchise vulnerable citizens who do not have the required ID. It would cost Missouri taxpayers $16 million to implement, with additional ongoing costs.
Over 220,000 Missouri voters do not have a current state photo ID which would qualify. Most of those citizens are minorities, veterans, disabled, poor or elderly.
False Claims
Missourians already need to register and present ID in order to vote. Amendment 6 would result in a more cumbersome, costly and discriminating system. It would not increase the integrity or professionalism of our voting system.
Supporters of Amendment 6 claim it is needed to protect against in person voter fraud. But there is little evidence that such fraud is an issue in Missouri or any other state.
Recent Federal Court decisions have ruled that some state laws, including onerous ID requirements, are unjustifiable. This Missouri scheme to make it harder for vulnerable citizens to vote could face similar legal challenges.
Avoids Real Issues
The City of St Louis recently addressed voter irregularities with absentee voting, and that is a serious issue. But Amendment 6, and the supporting HB 1631, does not address absentee voting. It would not improve that part of the voting process.
Support a Fair Democracy
We need a fair, free and reliable voting process to buttress our democracy. Without it we cannot effectively address the many problems, environmental or otherwise, that our local communities and our nation face. Amendment 6 does nothing but create a road to division and disenfranchisement for our communities. Vote NO on 6!