Court Rejects Voter ID Requirement in Missouri

Another Defeat for Republicans

Republicans have been involved in a carefully crafted strategy to attempt to disinfranchise and discourage urban & low income voters in future elections. How have they been doing this? They have been creating new laws and procedures to put up obstacles for voters across the country- particularly voters who are likely to vote Democrat. Republicans have said that their plan was part of an effort to prevent voter fraud. However, the real aim is to create an advantage for their Party in future elections, 2006 and 2008 especially.

They have been largely successful at accomplishing their goal, however, in a few States (Missouri and Georgia in particular) Republicans have run into obstacles of their own. Courts in these States have rejected their voter ID plan.

Missouri was the latest State to reject the plan, when a Judge struck down the law last week. This is important for the State of Missouri because the Senate Race- McCaskill (D) Vs. Talent (R)- in 06 and the Presidential and Governors Races in 08 are all expected to be extremely close.

Article Below

Judge strikes down Missouri voter ID law
KELLY WIESE
Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A state judge struck down Missouri's new voter identification law Thursday as an unconstitutional infringement on the right to vote.

Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan was considering two combined lawsuits claiming the requirement that people show a federal or Missouri-issued photo ID at the polls starting in November was an unconstitutional burden on voters.

Callahan's ruling bars the photo ID requirement from being enforced. He said the requirement is a particular burden to women and the poor. That's because a separate Missouri law requires those getting or renewing a driver's license to show they are lawfully in the country, generally with a birth certificate or passport.

Those whose name has changed, such as some married women, also must provide documents showing those changes. While the ID to vote would be free, underlying paperwork has a cost, and the judge said that's unacceptable.

Without the added requirements to obtain a license or state ID card, the judge ruled, the law might not be so burdensome.

"While a license to drive may be just that: a license and not a right. The right to vote is also just that: a right and not a license," the judge wrote.

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