In an op-ed piece in today's Kansas City Star, Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, defends the photo voter ID law that was recently signed by Governor Matt Blunt. Stevenson vigorously objects to opponents' characterization that a large number of voters will be disenfranchised by the law:
The word "disenfranchised" is used as much by opponents of this law as oxygen is burned to continue their windy diatribes.
The Missouri Voter Protection Act requires the state Department of Revenue to issue non-driver licenses at local license offices.
But there are three permanent exemptions to furnishing a photo ID at the polls: citizens who were born on or before January 1, 1941; have physical or mental disabilities; or those with a sincere religious objection. These people can cast a provisional ballot.
Instead of serving to "disenfranchise" voters, this law ensures that the votes cast by the elderly, for example, are added to valid ballots guaranteed by proper identification. Because the law protects the voters, groups such as the elderly are better off.
Because this law is not an "unfunded mandate" and serves to help the voters instead of "disenfranchise," it should be strongly supported by all people in Missouri.
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