Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) says the requirements have changed in a voter photo ID bill and so should the projected cost. The Missouri Senate passed Tuesday a measure that would set up the framework to allow voter photo ID. The bill calls for providing IDs for those who don’t have one and any supporting documents, like birth certificates. The estimated cost of paying for IDs and the corresponding documents is as much as $10.5 million for the first year. Nasheed says that’s the same as the cost of an earlier version of the bill.
Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis)
“With this substitute, they have to pay for all underlying documentation,” said Nasheed. “There’s just no way that you can still have the same fiscal note as a voter ID only purchase when you have to purchase other documentation.”
Democrats, including Nasheed, oppose requiring a photo ID to vote.
Senator Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit) says there was no change.
“We always said we were paying for supporting documentation. We just made it very clear in the final version that if it’s a supporting document that’s not in the state of Missouri, the Secretary of State’s office would facilitate to make sure we are able to get those supporting documents,” said Kraus. “I actually think that all of these numbers are grossly exaggerated. So when you add gross exaggeration on top of gross exaggeration, you get a $10 million fiscal note.”
The measure passed by the Senate would require a photo ID to vote, but would allow those without a photo ID to vote if they sign a form and show a utility bill or paycheck. The voter could also cast a provisional ballot, which would count if the voter could later prove their identity.
The bill now goes back to the House.
