House Communications - News

4/14 - House Approves Voter ID and Early Voting Legislation

Jefferson City - The Missouri House gave first-round approval Wednesday to legislation that would create a “no excuse” early voting period and require photo identification to vote. HB 1966 is sponsored by Rep. John Diehl, R-Town and Country. Click here to listen to Rep. John Diehl speak on HB 1966. The House used a procedural move to divide the bill into two parts. Part one of the bill contains language that would authorize an advance voting period prior to each election using absentee ballots. No reason for voting an absentee ballot would be required as is currently required to vote by absentee ballot. The early voting portion of the legislation was adopted by a vote of 153-5. The second part of the bill would require a voter to present photo identification to election officials in order to vote. The bill would require the state to provide at no cost at least one form of personal identification required to vote to a qualified citizen who does not already possess the required identification. Click here to listen to Rep. John Diehl speak on the photo identification portion of the bill. Click here to listen to Rep. Mike Colona speak on the subject of voter fraud and against HB 1966. Click here to listen to Rep. Bill Deeken speak on the subject of voter fraud and in support of HB 1966. Click here to listen to Rep. John Burnett speak against HB 1966. Click here to listen to Rep. Bryan Stevenson speak in support of HB 1966. The House adopted part two of HB 1966 by a vote of 80-70. The House perfected the bill by a vote of 86-58. It now awaits a final vote in the House before moving to the Senate.

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