Missouri Lawyer Common Andrew Bailey mentioned a state legislation requiring a photograph ID to vote being upheld in court docket is a “huge win for election security.”
“Missouri proved today how to handle radical activists that come into a state with secure elections and try to undermine them through the legal process,” Bailey mentioned in an unique assertion to Fox Information Digital.
Bailey added that this was an enormous victory for the Present Me State.
“We went to court, we put on the evidence, and radical activists working to undermine our elections FAILED. This is a HUGE win for election security,” Bailey mentioned in a publish on X.
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Andrew Bailey, Missouri’s lawyer normal, referred to as the court docket win over photograph ID to vote a “huge win for election security.” (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures)
Elon Musk additionally shared his approval and reward for Missouri’s court docket ruling.
“Congratulations AG Bailey! Now we need this nationwide,” Musk wrote in a publish on X.
The Missouri court docket’s determination to uphold the voter ID legislation got here after heavy criticism from teams arguing that such necessities may disenfranchise voters.
Nevertheless, Bailey’s workplace efficiently offered proof supporting the legislation’s necessity and effectiveness in sustaining the integrity of the voting course of. The court docket’s ruling confirmed that the voter ID legislation doesn’t impose a burden on voters.
Missouri additionally gives free non-driver’s licenses for voting for many who don’t have already got a driver’s license or have a present license. The well being division’s Bureau of Important Information gives free beginning certificates to these looking for their first non-driver’s license so as to vote if the applicant doesn’t have a present driver’s license.
Cole County Circuit Decide Jon Beetem dominated Monday {that a} Missouri legislation requiring a photograph ID to vote would stay intact. (Getty Pictures)
“There is not a severe burden on the right to vote as the State has gone to great lengths to help voters obtain IDs,” Bailey wrote in a earlier court docket temporary.
In October 2022, Cole County Presiding Decide Jon Beetem had already rejected a lawsuit introduced by the Missouri League of Ladies Voters, NAACP and two voters difficult a legislation handed by the Republican-controlled state legislature making it obligatory that voters present photograph identification to solid a daily poll. Beneath the 2022 legislation, individuals with a legitimate government-issued photograph ID are nonetheless capable of submit provisional ballots, which shall be counted in the event that they return later that day with a photograph ID or if election officers confirm their signatures.
A Missouri court docket determined to uphold the state’s voter ID legislation, one thing Andrew Bailey fought for. (Vanessa Abbitt/St. Louis Put up-Dispatch/Tribune Information Service by way of Getty Pictures)
Republicans mentioned the objective of the 2022 legislation was to discourage voter fraud, however the plaintiffs within the case argued the laws positioned unconstitutional hurdles on voting, suppressing turnout.
Earlier than the 2022 midterm elections, it was acceptable for Missourians to current a voter registration card, a pupil identification card, a financial institution assertion or utility invoice or a legitimate driver’s license to solid their ballots within the state.
The Nationwide Convention of State Legislatures reviews that 36 states request or require identification to vote, of which at the least 20 ask for a photograph ID.
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Different Republican-led states are transferring in the identical course as Missouri, which may function the blueprint for nationwide coverage.
“I’m proud that Missouri will continue to lead the nation in defense of election security,” Bailey mentioned.
Critics argue that such necessities are an overreaction that might disenfranchise eligible voters.
Fox Information Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Related Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Worth is author for Fox Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. Story suggestions and concepts might be despatched to stepheny.value@fox.com.
