Making Changes to Missouri's Elections - What Do You Think?

This November, Missouri citizens will head to the polls to cast their ballots in state and national elections. This act is one of the most fundamental principles of our country where we the people shape our future. Currently there are ideas before the General Assembly that would change how the voting process works in Missouri. This affects you, the voter, and your thoughts on these issues are important to me.

Election of Lieutenant Governor

In half the country, voters elect the governor and lieutenant governor on a single ticket, with both candidates from the same political party. In Missouri, however, we elect those offices separately. Often, this results in a governor and lieutenant governor from different political parties, as we have now.

Supporters of this system say there isn't really a need to elect them together, as the offices have differing duties. The governor oversees the executive branch of state government, while the lieutenant governor works with the Legislature. Separating these two offices also fosters diverse political opinions in our executive branch.

Opponents of this system, though, say having executives from two opposing parties can lead to political squabbles between the offices. Also, if the governor is required to leave the state or relinquish his authority, he or she has to consider what actions their lieutenant governor may take in their absence. This can lead to a governor hamstrung from visiting other states and conducting business outside of Missouri, which is sometimes necessary.

Senate Joint Resolution 24 or Senate Joint Resolution 30 would require the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor starting in 2016. In SJR 24, the candidate for governor would choose his lieutenant governor candidate before the primary while SJR 30 would require the candidate for governor to choose his running mate after the primary election. If either is approved by the General Assembly, it would then go to you to be voted on in November.

Voter ID

Another bill before the General Assembly would change the requirements for voting. Senate Bill 442, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, would establish a photo identification requirement for voting. Citizens would first have to provide valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, to cast a vote. Those who are unable to obtain identification would be provided a voting card by the state at no cost, and those without either ID could cast a provisional ballot until they are able to obtain proper identification.

Voter identification has always been a controversial subject. The Legislature passed a similar requirement in 2006 that was ultimately thrown out by the Missouri Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled a similar Indiana law was justified, breathing new life into the debate.

Those in favor of voter ID see the requirement as necessary to protect the integrity of our elections. There have been issues with voter fraud in the past, and these can cast doubt on the results of our elections. And, the requirement is a fairly benign one. It is next to impossible these days to receive any kind of service, from cashing a check to signing up at a video rental store, without having photo identification. It only makes sense to extend this protection to one of our most cherished democratic practices.

Opponents, however, see the requirement as possibly disenfranchising large groups of voters. Under our constitution, every American citizen has the right to vote. By implementing hurdles to that process, opponents say we're infringing on that right.

There are many complexities to both these issues and your opinion is very important to me. What do you think? Should we require photo identification to cast a vote in Missouri? And when we cast that vote, should we elect our governor and lieutenant governor on the same ticket? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at http://www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.