A ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem upheld Missouri’s voter ID law, which requires voters to present photo identification at the polls, a measure passed via a 2016 constitutional amendment.
The law includes provisions for voters without photo ID, allowing them to cast provisional ballots that are counted if they return with proper ID on the same day or if election officials can verify their signatures. Free photo ID cards are available to those who need them.
Supporters, including Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, argue that photo ID requirements are essential for election security, preventing fraud, and boosting public confidence in the electoral process.
However, critics—including the Missouri NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and others—contend that the law disproportionately affects vulnerable groups like seniors and people with disabilities, potentially leading to difficulties in obtaining valid identification. They also express concern over the rejection of provisional ballots due to signature mismatches.
Judge Beetem dismissed the lawsuit filed by opposition groups, stating that none of the plaintiffs could demonstrate direct harm from the law. He also pointed out that the rejection rates for provisional ballots, especially those due to signature mismatches, are extremely low.
Critics, including the Missouri League of Women Voters, vowed to appeal, emphasizing that the law imposes unnecessary barriers to voting without addressing any proven issues of voter impersonation in the state.