JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri trial judge is considering a legal challenge to a state constitutional amendment that would clear the way for requiring voters to show photo identification.
The Republican-led Legislature last year passed the proposed constitutional amendment, which is targeted for this year's ballot. It would allow separate legislation requiring a photo ID to vote and establish an early voting period.
Opponents argued Friday before Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce the ballot summary is false and unfair. They contend the summary refers to the "Voter Protection Act," which never appears within the constitutional amendment. They say the Legislature already has authority to permit early voting and that the measure would create limits on early voting.
The proposed amendment seeks to get around a 2006 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that declared a previous photo ID law unconstitutional.