FACED with a filibuster as the Missouri legislative session winds down, state senators struck a deal Monday that will allow them to proceed with a voter identification plan to be decided by voters.
State Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, said “a good compromise” is making it possible to pass his proposal before the Legislature adjourns May 13.
Kraus and fellow Republicans want voters to decide the fate of a constitutional amendment requiring that voters show a photo ID at polling places to protect against election fraud. Democrats have generally opposed the bill, saying it would “disenfranchise voters” with low incomes, the elderly, the homeless and minority communities.
For nearly a month, it appeared the bill would stall. Democrats launched a filibuster. They read stories from newspapers, recited election results, and read passages from a book. Off the Senate floor, Democrats said they wanted some type of safety net so that qualified voters would not be turned away from the polls.
Kraus and other supporters eventually agreed to allow people without photo IDs to cast ballots if they present a paycheck, utility bill or a similar confirmation of their names and addresses. Those voters also would sign paperwork confirming that they lack photo IDs, triggering perjury charges if fraudulent statements are made.
State Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, still opposes photo IDs but welcomed what he called “earnest and sincere” negotiations to find a compromise.
The Missouri House still must act and could bypass Gov. Jay Nixon to have a statewide vote later this year.
If the measure becomes law, Missouri would join 17 other states that require a photo ID to vote, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.
