New Voter ID Rules In Effect For Aug. 8 Election

When voters go to the polls on Aug. 8, there are new rules concerning the forms of identification that will be accepted.
While all registered voters are allowed to cast a ballot, there are three options available to them to verify their identity.
The changes are a result of a state constitutional amendment, which was approved by Missouri voters in the November 2016 election.
“This is really more about what happens in bigger cities like Kansas City or St. Joseph,” said Grundy County Clerk Betty Spickard. “That’s where people don’t really know the voters. It’s not such a big issue here because we know most of the people who come to vote.”
While it might not be a huge issue in Grundy County, the rules are the same for the entire state. But there are several options for presenting identification when going to the polls.
The first option is to present one of the following forms of photo ID: a driver’s license, non-driver license, passport or military ID as well as a non-expired identification issued by the U.S. Government or the State of Missouri containing a photograph and signature. The voter will then receive a regular ballot.
If a registered voter appears without photo identification, acceptable forms of ID would include a voter registration card, an identification card from a Missouri university, college, vocational or technical school, a utility bill, bank statement or government check, a paycheck or a government document showing the voter’s name and address. The voter will be required to sign a statement prior to receiving a regular ballot. That statement swears or affirms the person’s name and address and that they do not have a form of personal identification approved for voting.
Mrs. Spickard said those who wish to obtain a non-driver photo identification may do so free of charge at any fee office in Missouri.
“Most people do have a Missouri driver’s license – that’s how they get to the polls, they drive,” said Mrs. Spickard. “But if they don’t, they can get a non-driver’s license at the license bureau and it’s supposed to be free.”
If a registered voter has no form of identification they will be provided with a blue provisional ballot envelope and will be asked to place the ballot in that envelope. The voter could come back to the poll at a later time with proper identification and have their ballot counted as usual. If they do not come back before the polls close, Mrs. Spickard’s office would verify through the voter registration rolls that the voter is a registered voter and the signature on the envelope matches the signature on file for that voter. After verification has taken place, the vote would be counted.
There are other complications that can occur at the polls, including having a registered voter who has moved to a new address but has remained within the county. To help alleviate that problem, Mrs. Spickard said voters who have moved are asked to change their address with her office at least six weeks prior to an election. While the voter will still be allowed to vote, it can cause confusion if they attempt to vote at a precinct in which their name does not appear in the voting register.
The only issue on the Aug. 8 election ballot is a 15-cent increase in the property tax levy to operate Sunnyview Nursing Home. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on that day.