There has been a lot of talk this year about changing I.D. requirements for voters, but Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) wants residents to know that the law hasn’t changed in Missouri.
Carnahan says voters can bring a driver’s license or other photo I.D. to the polls if they so choose, but that photo identification is not mandatory.
“The laws in Missouri have not changed," Carnahan said. "In some states, laws were passed and then the courts threw the laws out, and in other states they have made the changes and they’re intact, so people listen to the news and they’re not sure what the laws are in Missouri.”
Carnahan says those battles over the use of photo identification have created confusion among voters in Missouri, leading some of them to believe that they, too, have to bring a photo I.D. with them when they vote.
“We have gotten those calls, and people are just confused because there’s so much discussion and talk about it," Carnahan said. "Despite all these debates, you can still bring any number of identification forms with you to vote.”
Missouri passed a photo I.D. requirement six years ago that was later ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court. Republican lawmakers have been trying ever since to pass a new photo I.D. law, which Carnahan, Governor Jay Nixon and other Democrats have opposed.
Below is a list of acceptable forms of identification for voting in Missouri, provided by the Secretary of State's office:
- Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state (including a Missouri driver license or a voter identification card)
- Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof (including a U.S. passport)
- Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter
- Driver license or state identification card issued by another state
More information about voting in Missouri can be found at www.GoVoteMissouri.com.
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