COOK SAYS VOTER FRAUD NOT A BIG PROBLEM; REPORTS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION, SHE SAYS

Missouri Secretary of State Bekki Cook says talk of voter fraud in Missouri has been blown out of proportion by some Republican lawmakers.

She said voter fraud isn't a widespread problem in the state, although isolated cases do occur from time to time.

Two state lawmakers, Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and Rep. Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff, earlier this month called for an end to vote buying and voter fraud in Missouri.

They and staff members for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and Sen. John Ashcroft suggested federal marshals might be needed to monitor November elections in Mississippi County because of past election irregularities.

But in a visit Friday to Cape Girardeau, Cook dismissed the idea.

"To me, it is a ridiculous prescription," she said following a speech to about 100 Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce members at the Show Me Center.

"I don't think the federal authorities would know the election process," she said.

Cook said she doesn't see how federal marshals could prevent election fraud if it were to occur. Still, Cook said election authorities always must be on guard against voter fraud.

"We have to maintain vigilance," she said.

Cook said the best way to prevent election fraud is to recruit dependable and qualified people to serve as election judges.

Many of Missouri's election judges are elderly. Cook said she would like to see more people volunteer as election judges.

State Treasurer Bob Holden, who was with Cook, spoke briefly at First Friday Coffee.

He voiced support for constitutional Amendment 5 on the Nov. 3 ballot. The amendment would provide the treasurer's office with more flexibility in investing state money.

Holden said Missouri could generate $7 million to $10 million more a year in interest off its investments should the measure pass.

Cook told chamber members that voter turnout nationwide in November could be the lowest this century. Cook blamed voter apathy for the public's disinterest in voting. She urged chamber members to vote in November and encourage others to do so.

She said only 18 percent of Missouri's registered voters went to the polls in the August primary.

The turnout typically is higher in November. Cook said some 60 percent of registered voters have turned out for past November elections.

She said voter turnout is lowest among young voters 18 to 25. She said the National Association of Secretaries of State plans to set up focus groups to find out why young voters don't vote.

Americans who are more informed about election issues are more likely to vote, Cook said.

Cook said after the meeting that she hoped businesses would encourage their employees to vote.

John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, suggested that employers could give employees time off to go vote. He said staff members at the chamber office are given a longer lunch hour on Election Day to allow them time to vote.