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Julia Williams
Editor-in-Chief
A day in which U.S. Citizens are encouraged to exercise their freedom of speech, brings excitement, anxiety and tests the patience of eager voters withstanding long polling lines.
For those braving the polls Nov. 5, there are a couple must-knows to ensure your vote is received and counted.
Eligibility
Eligible voters must have registered to vote by the deadline Oct. 9 in said jurisdiction they wish to vote in. Registration in multiple states, jurisdictions or attempting to vote in a state, in which a person is not registered, is strictly prohibited under Missouri Law.
A person is deemed eligible to vote under Missouri Law, according to Missouri Secretary of State if:
- They are not imprisoned
- Are not on probation or parole, following felony conviction
- Has not previously faced felony or misdemeanor conviction related to voting
- Has not declared incapacitation
A person who has previously faced felony conviction is eligible to vote under Missouri Law, if said individual has completed their sentence and probation and/or parole accordingly. This is specific to cases unrelated to voting.
Proper Identification
The “Missouri Voter Protection Act” of 2006, which went before and was passed by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2006, includes a Senate Bill requiring that a person must present forms of non expired photographic identification (Photo ID). This bill went into effect Aug. 28, 2006 — requiring photo identification in all elections from Missouri voters.
Photo ID’s deemed acceptable, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, include:
- Non expired Missouri driver’s license
- Non expired or non expiring Missouri non driver’s license
- Non expired U.S. Passport
- Another Photo ID issued by the U.S. or State of Missouri, which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (U.S. Military ID card, permanent resident card, U.S. Passport card, etc)
If proper identification is not present, a qualified voter may cast a provisional ballot. This includes a method of recording votes when the eligibility of a voter is in question and must be reviewed before said vote is counted, according to the MIT Election Lab.
What is Voter Fraud?
The United States Department of Justice system is the party responsible for enforcing laws and prosecuting cases related to voter fraud. Fraudulent voting includes tampering with the election process — whether it’s a direct or indirect violation. A vote is considered fraudulent by Missouri.Gov for the following offenses:
- Voting more than once, including a person who has already voted at another location either within or outside Missouri state limits
- The voting of a person who is not eligible to vote
- Obtaining or applying for a ballot of a name whose identity is not their own — including deceased and fabricated
- Assisting a persons who is not eligible to vote including aiding and abetting the casting of an illegal vote
- An election judge placing a ballot into the ballot box prior to polls opening
- Removing a ballot from said ballot box in any instance
Additional violations and definitions are available at: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.631.
Fraudulent voting can also occur for those casting absentee ballots. Absentee voting began in 1800’s, civil war America — originally intended to allow enlisted Military a vote-by-mail option while away at war. However, this concept has since expanded its terms. The Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners deems those eligible to cast an absentee ballot if they:
- Will be absent from their voting jurisdiction on Election Day
- Are incapacitated or confined due to illness or physical disability, or caring for an incapacitated person and reside at the same address
- Are restricted by religious belief or practice
- Are employed as:
- An election authority, as a member of an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than such voter’s polling place
- A first responder
- A health care worker
- A member of law enforcement
- Are incarcerated, but have retained all their voting qualifications
- Are a participant in the Missouri SAFE at home program
How to avoid Fraudulent Voting
Whether choosing to vote at the polls on election day, by absentee ballot or participating in in-person absentee voting, voters abiding by proper Missouri voting laws ensure their vote is counted.
First time voters will face additional requirements including providing proper facial identification, even if a vote is casted by mail — specifically if it was not previously provided during registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
First time voters with additional questions can visit: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.
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