Proposed Photo ID Legislation FAILS in Missouri

[babylonsister]

Proposed Photo ID Legislation Failed in Missouri
Submitted by davidswanson on Sat, 2008-05-17 11:37.

Constitutional Change to Restrict Voting Rights Faced
Groundswell of Opposition from Across the State


JEFFERSON CITY, MO – In a victory for all voters, Missouri lawmakers ended this year’s legislative session without a final vote on legislation that could have prevented up to 240,000 Missourians from voting. The proposed change would have altered Missouri’s constitution, allowing for strict citizenship and government-issued photo ID requirements that would make Missouri one of the toughest states in the country for eligible, law-abiding citizens to register to vote or cast a ballot.

“I am relieved that I will be able to vote this fall,” said Lillie Lewis, a St. Louis city resident, “I’ve been voting in every election since I can remember, but if I needed my birth certificate, that would be the end of that. I hope this is the last we hear of this nonsense.” Lillie Lewis was born in Mississippi, but the state sent her a letter stating they have no record of her birth.

Birdell Owen, a Missouri resident who was displaced by hurricane Katrina, also voiced her relief. “I should be able to participate in my democracy,” she said, “even if Louisiana can’t get me a copy of my birth certificate. I’m glad Missouri politicians had the sense to protect my right to vote.”

As the bill began to move, a broad coalition of groups and voters across the state worked to educate citizens and legislators about the negative impact of such policy changes on real voters. Missourians for Fair Elections reports over 4,200 calls were made to lawmakers in the past two weeks urging them to not consider this legislation. Catholic organizations, such as the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Mary, and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas issued statements voicing deep concerns with the legislation. The AARP, League of Women Voters, labor organizations, disability advocates, community organizations and progressive leaders worked around the clock for the past two weeks to make sure the concerns of Missouri voters were heard.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/33478

[gademocrat7]

1. Great news

[aquart]

2. The birthplace of Mark Twain did well in its indolence.

Bless them for it.

[sonias]

3. Victory for all voters in Missiouri!

Congratulations to Missouri!

:applause::toast:

Sonia

[MissWaverly]

4. I knew it a lost cause when the nuns got angry

the irrestible force met the immovable object, the Republicans have gone out of their way
this time to piss off the Catholics, they must want a democratic landslide.

[tbyg52]

5. That was quite a break

having that story reported widely in the MSM. I bet a lot of people who didn't "get it" before did after that.

[MissWaverly]

6. I thought that it would punish the elderly

Many of whom simply don't have the mobility that younger people do, the last year of his life, my dad left the nursing home about
6 times, vacations with his kids, outings we took him on but he had mounting health problems that kept him from going out more.

[Melissa G]

7. that'll learn them not to irritate the nuns! n/t

[Wilms]

8. .