Missouri Lawyer Basic Andrew Bailey mentioned a state legislation requiring a photograph ID to vote being upheld in court docket is a “large win for election safety.”
“Missouri proved in the present day tips on how to deal with radical activists that come right into a state with safe elections and attempt to undermine them by way of the authorized course of,” Bailey mentioned in an unique assertion to Fox Information Digital.
Bailey added that this was an enormous victory for the Present Me State.
“We went to court docket, we placed on the proof, and radical activists working to undermine our elections FAILED. This can be a HUGE win for election safety,” Bailey mentioned in a submit on X.Â
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Elon Musk additionally shared his approval and reward for Missouri’s court docket ruling.
“Congratulations AG Bailey! Now we’d like this nationwide,” Musk wrote in a submit on X.
The Missouri court docket’s choice to uphold the voter ID legislation got here after heavy criticism from teams arguing that such necessities may disenfranchise voters.
Nevertheless, Bailey’s workplace efficiently introduced proof supporting the legislation’s necessity and effectiveness in sustaining the integrity of the voting course of. The court docket’s ruling confirmed that the voter ID legislation doesn’t impose a burden on voters.
Missouri additionally offers free non-driver’s licenses for voting for many who don’t have already got a driver’s license or have a present license. The well being division’s Bureau of Important Information offers free delivery certificates to these searching for their first non-driver’s license with a purpose to vote if the applicant doesn’t have a present driver’s license.
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“There’s not a extreme burden on the correct to vote because the State has gone to nice lengths to assist voters get hold of IDs,” Bailey wrote in a earlier court docket temporary.
In October 2022, Cole County Presiding Choose Jon Beetem had already rejected a lawsuit introduced by the Missouri League of Ladies Voters, NAACP and two voters difficult a legislation handed by the Republican-controlled state legislature making it necessary that voters present picture identification to solid a daily poll. Below the 2022 legislation, folks with a legitimate government-issued picture ID are nonetheless capable of submit provisional ballots, which will likely be counted in the event that they return later that day with a photograph ID or if election officers confirm their signatures.
Republicans mentioned the purpose of the 2022 legislation was to discourage voter fraud, however the plaintiffs within the case argued the laws positioned unconstitutional hurdles on voting, suppressing turnout.
Earlier than the 2022 midterm elections, it was acceptable for Missourians to current a voter registration card, a scholar identification card, a financial institution assertion or utility invoice or a legitimate driver’s license to solid their ballots within the state.
The Nationwide Convention of State Legislatures studies that 36 states request or require identification to vote, of which no less than 20 ask for a photograph ID.
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Different Republican-led states are transferring in the identical route as Missouri, which may function the blueprint for nationwide coverage.
“I am proud that Missouri will proceed to steer the nation in protection of election safety,” Bailey mentioned.Â
Critics argue that such necessities are an overreaction that might disenfranchise eligible voters.
Fox Information Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Related Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Value is author for Fox Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. Story ideas and concepts might be despatched to stepheny.value@fox.com.