Butler County voters will get their first taste of a new Missouri identification law when they go to the polls Aug. 8 to decide the fate of city and county use tax measures.
The use tax would apply an equal sales tax rate to online purchases as residents pay at brick and mortar stores within the community.
Sales tax is not currently charged on these out-of-state purchases, cutting the city and county off from revenue officials say is needed to support law enforcement efforts, road maintenance and other operations.
The state is already collecting this tax for itself, but each city and county also has to pass the measure.
Changes in identification laws did not cause voting problems in the first two communities to hold elections since it became effective, said Brandon Alexander, a member of the Secretary of State's office who spoke Thursday with staff from the county clerk's office.
The city of St. Louis had only three voters without identification out of nearly 2,000 people, said Alexander. Those three people were there specifically to test the identification system, he said.
The new law requires each registered voter to present one form of photo ID. This can include a state identification card, passport, driver's license or government ID.
If a voter does not have photo ID, they can also use a voter registration card, school ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing their name and address.
If the voter has none of this information, they can still fill out a provisional ballot, Alexander said.
The provisional ballot will allow the voter to come back with identification before polls close.
The voter seals the blue ballot inside an envelope provided by poll workers. The envelope will remain sealed until polls close.
If the individual fails to return before polls close, there is still a chance the vote can be counted, Alexander continued.
If the county clerk's office can match the signature on the envelope to the voter registration card, the ballot can be cast, he said.
The voter will be given a pin number that can be used to check the status of the ballot after the election day results are certified, he continued.
The secretary of state's office has met several times with county officials across the state as they roll out the new identification law.
New Madrid County is the only other jurisdiction to hold an election since the law became effective in June.
The identification law was passed in November, with 63 percent support by state voters.
The state can also provide voters with free photo identification. For more information, call 866-868-3245 or visit www.ShowIt2Vote.com.