The Missouri Supreme Court has already deemed that requiring voters to produce government-issued photo identification flies in the face of the state constitution.
Yet, during the last remaining days of the 94th General Assembly, a push has been launched to call for an election to change the state constitution so that Missouri would have the voter ID law.
If the election is called, voters would go to the polls later this year to decide the issue.
Why the extra requirement?
If Missouri had cases of voter impersonation linked to voter fraud, then perhaps the measure would be necessary. But Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says that’s not the case. In fact, there has never been a case in Missouri. She says the problems with voting that do exist would not be fixed by requiring a photo ID.
A voter ID bill in Indiana went to the U.S. Supreme Court. That court ruled that states could require voters to present a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot. Consequently, during the May 6 presidential primary election, at least a dozen elderly nuns, several recently married women who changed their names when they married and a number of students with out-of-state driver’s licenses were not allowed to cast ballots.
Those without photo ID generally are women, the elderly or the poor.
We have enough bureaucracy.
Heaping on one more barrier, or making the system even more prohibitive for some, smacks of political gamesmanship.
Let’s get down to taking care of problems that are real.
Opinion
In our view: Photo ID not needed
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.
-
Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.
-
Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?
-
Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.
-
Your View: Prime suspects
If it’s too cool in the house, you can turn up the heat if you think you can afford it.
-
Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
-
Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.
-
Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).
-
James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.
-
Our View: Meaningless in Missouri
Missourians have an opinion about who should be the Republican candidate to run against Barack Obama in November. Too bad it won’t matter.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
