In a recent column, I discussed the Neelyville Lady Tigers Basketball team’s visit to Jefferson City. This week I was thrilled to receive a nice thank you card signed by all members of the team. I really appreciate their commitment to our country, our state, and am happy they appreciated the chance to travel to our beautiful state Capitol.
As we ended the session, one of my priority bills appeared poised for passage: House Bill 1878. This important legislation, which I co-sponsored, would require Missouri voters to provide photo identification in order to vote. This legislation was enacted previously but overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court. Under this bill, we have language that is designed to withstand these kinds of legal challenges.
Under the bill, voters would have two options: either show a photo ID to cast a regular ballot or cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot would be counted if the voter returns later that day with a photo ID (which voters can obtain free of charge) or if election officials can verify their signature based on voter records. The act prohibits the use of touchscreen direct-recording, electronic vote-counting machines and requires the official ballot shall be a paper ballot that is hand-marked by the voter or in such other manner as is permitted under Missouri and federal law.
This bill will repeal problematic affidavit sections held unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court and otherwise modify photographic identification requirements in a reasonable manner. In person, absentee voting will require the use of such identification. The provisional ballot exceptions to the photographic identification requirement will remain in place and so properly registered voters may vote by provisional ballot if they lack photographic identification at the polling place. Many studies show that voter turnout is not affected at all by identification requirements. The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has a perfect track record of helping all individuals acquire photographic identification and will pay for the necessary documents. All of Europe makes use of photographic identification for voting and many states also require identification. It is a good practice to prevent or reduce any kind of voter fraud. I am proud to stand with my Republican colleagues and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in supporting this legislation.
It is sad that, as the cornerstone of our democracy, election integrity has become a partisan issue. Democrats seem intent on dismantling the sanctity of our election processes. Thankfully the GOP members of Congress have stalled ill-conceived legislation such as House Resolution 1, the “For the People Act.” This legislation, supported by President Biden and Congressional Democrats, would put the federal government, instead of the states, at the forefront of running elections. It also would turn the Federal Elections Commission into a partisan weapon and massively burden political speech against the government while offering government handouts to congressional campaigns and campus activists. It would mandate automated registration of people who apply for unemployment, Medicaid, Obamacare, and college, or who are coming out of prison. This includes many people currently ineligible to vote under state laws.
As your elected state representative, I will continue to promote legislation that protects the integrity and legitimacy of our elections. I will champion efforts to ensure elections are secure, with a paper trail, and that no person’s vote counts more than another’s.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.