This story was originally published on kmbc.com.
Missouri voters are now required to show a current government photo identification. The Missouri secretary of state said that about 270,000 voters may not meet this requirement. The new law affects about 6% of registered voters. These are the people whose identification has expired or who do not have a state government-issued ID at all. This change happens mid-election year. Voters who had no issues in August may find themselves turned away in November.
The only acceptable identification to vote is a state identification, driver's license, passport or U.S. identification. In the August primary, people could vote with a student identification, with a voter registration card, or an expired ID. Now everyone has to go through the DMV, which could be especially difficult for seniors, students or workers who have more than one job. "What will people do if they can't stand in line for hours and hours? What are they supposed to do?" This is an onerous burden on voters," said Anne Calvert, president of the League of Women Voters of Kansas City, Jackson, Clay and Platte counties.
"A functioning democracy only works if everybody is allowed to have a voice," said Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel for the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Several organizations are suing to block the law or reverse it. They filed last week and do not have a court date yet. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 12.
This story originally aired on KMBC 9 News. Watch the original news segment below:
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