A challenge to Missouri’s 2022 voter ID law is set to proceed to the state Supreme Court after a Cole County ruling upheld the legislation. The case, filed by the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters, was dismissed by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, who ruled that the plaintiffs failed to show harm and lacked standing.
The law mandates that voters present a photo ID with specific criteria, including an expiration date, but allows IDs expired for less than a year. Beetem stated that the alleged burdens were not severe enough to constitute a violation of voting rights.
The plaintiffs, however, argue that the law imposes significant hurdles on voters, particularly those who face difficulties obtaining the necessary documentation.
Denise Lieberman, a lead attorney in the case, contends that the state’s interests should not override the burdens placed on voters and that the law disproportionately affects minority groups, the elderly, and students.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft defended the law, emphasizing its role in ensuring election integrity, while critics argue that there is no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri and that the law’s restrictions harm access to voting without improving election security.
The Missouri Supreme Court will now review the case, with a timeline for appeal yet to be determined. If the law is overturned, it could also end Missouri’s popular two-week early voting period, which was introduced as part of a compromise deal for the voter ID law.
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