Casey Guernsey -- Voter Protection Act Protects Right to Vote

In 2005, the Missouri General Assembly passed into law a requirement that individuals present photographic identification when they vote in person. This was in response to the public concern about something odd that had happened in St. Louis during the 2004 presidential election and in several other counties – there were more individuals on the registered voting lists than people who actually lived there.

An unfortunate reality of recent elections is that instances of voter fraud have continued. As recently as the last couple of years, an Illinois man was prosecuted for voting for President in both Missouri and Illinois and ACORN workers were charged with election fraud in Kansas City. Missouri has a long history of voter fraud especially in the urban center. For a people that cherish the right to vote as much as Americans, this practice is troubling.

When the 2005 Photo ID requirement was challenged in court, the Missouri Supreme Court said that this requirement was unconstitutional under state law because voting is a fundamental right under our state constitution, and one or two named individuals in the case may have a hard time getting the photographic identification required to vote. Voting is a fundamental right. It should be protected to the fullest extent of the law. One way to protect the right to vote is to make sure that everyone’s vote counts equally. When individuals vote illegally, it reduces the value of the legally cast ballots – as they literally have less power.

I am the co-sponsor in the House of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment known as the “Voter Protection Act”. This measure is designed to protect Missourians’ fundamental right to vote. This important legislation would require voters to produce a form of photo identification when voting to help reduce fraud and abuse in our elections. I believe that in this day and age, requiring photo identification to vote is a common sense requirement. We all need a photo ID to cash a check, rent a movie, buy Sudafed or get on an airplane. To ensure that this measure does not discourage voting, we have created exemptions for older Missourians (born before 1941) and the disabled.

I believe that requiring identification protects those of us who vote legally from those that don’t. The courts don’t agree. On this issue, you will get to decide - if the Senate finally passes this legislation prior to the May 13 adjournment. If they do, you will have an opportunity next year to protect our right to vote by amending our constitution to allow us to require photographic identification for voting.