Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield) | Official portrait
Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield) | Official portrait
Missouri could join Georgia, Florida and other states that have banned local election officials from accepting private funds to help underwrite the administration of elections, and require voter ID, under legislation that Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield) plans to introduce when the Legislature convenes Jan. 5.
Burlison pre-filed the legislation Dec. 1, the first day pre-filing is allowed. Burlison cited what he views as unsecure counting practices with the increased use of mail ballots as one of the reasons for the legislation.
“The 2020 election cycle raised numerous issues regarding mail-in ballots and the systems in place to count those votes,” he said in a statement. “As a result I have decided to file legislation that will ensure that Missouri has safe, fair and secure elections.”
The bill would require ID for both voting in-person and by mail.
Missouri Republicans have been trying to enact a voter ID law for the past 15 years, according to a report in the Missouri Independent. They reiterated their support in committee hearings in September. Legislation has made it through the Missouri General Assembly only to be shot down in the courts.
The provision in Burlinson’s bill banning election officials from accepting private funds stems from reports that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg funneled nearly $400 million through a nonprofit, the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), that then granted the money to election officials.
In return for the money, officials were required to follow a set of guidelines including encouraging the use of mail ballots and drop boxes. The grant money heavily favored Democratic areas, research by the Capital Research Center shows.
Other states have banned the use of private money or have proposed that any private money, if accepted, be spread out evenly among voters.
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