The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus is speaking out against legislation in both the House and Senate that would require voters to show photo ID’s at the polls.
In each chamber there are proposed constitutional amendments that would allow for photo ID requirements, along with accompanying bills that would enact the proposed requirements -- HB 48 and HJR 1 in the Missouri House, and SB 27 and SJR 6 in the Missouri Senate. State Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D, St. Louis) chairs the caucus. She and other caucus members say Republicans are trying to suppress the voting rights of minorities, the disabled, the poor and elderly.
“Here we go again," Nasheed said at a news conference at the State Capitol. "We know that there hasn’t been any sign of voter fraud and voter suppression here in the state of Missouri, so why are we dealing with this time and time again, year after year after year?”
Nasheed also told reporters that it’s hypocritical of Republicans to push for photo ID requirements for voters while opposing background checks for gun purchases. Missouri’s 2006 photo voter ID law was tossed out by the State Supreme Court.
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport
