Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will travel to 21 cities in five days as he looks to clear up confusion on Missouri's new voter ID law, which took effect Thursday.
The law, approved by voters in November, modifies what type of identification will be accepted at the polls.
Ashcroft began his statewide information tour Monday in Columbia, outlining the new provisions and how voters will be affected.
The law has been subject to contentious debate, with some groups saying it will lead to voter suppression, but Ashcroft is pushing back against that claim.
"With the new photo ID that went into effect on June 1, if you're registered to vote, you will be allowed to vote," Ashcroft said. "The most important thing that we can do as we get word out about this law is to answer the questions that people have to assuage their concerns and their fears."
The new law outlines three "ID options" for voters. People who present an ID under the first two options will receive a regular ballot, while people in the third ID option will receive a provisional ballot.
Option 1 is to present a Missouri-issued driver's or non-driver's license, a U.S. passport or military ID.
Option 2 allows people to present a variety of "secondary" identifications including a bank statement, utility bill, college ID or voter registration card, among others. Voters who present an ID under this option will have to sign a statement acknowledging the new requirements and free non-driver's licenses are available.
If a person has no form of ID listed under options 1 or 2, a third option gives them a
provisional ballot that will count if they return with a photo ID or if their signature on the ballot matches the signature on file in the voter registry.
Ashcroft's office has launched a "ShowIt2Vote" informational website to assist voters in learning about the new requirements. The General Assembly appropriated $1.4 million for the educational campaign, as well as $100,000 to both the Department of Revenue and the Department of Health and Senior Services to provide people with the necessary documents to obtain a non-driver's license.
Ashcroft's tour will reach cities including Springfield, St. Genevieve and St. Louis during the five-day span. A full route and schedule can be found at the ShowIt2Vote website.
Former Secretary of State Jason Kander estimated about 220,000 Missourians who don't have photo IDs would be affected by the law. Ashcroft said Monday that number is probably closer to around 100,000 but reiterated anyone who is registered will be able to vote.
He said the signed affidavits under Option 2 will make it easier to identify and contact voters who may need a non-driver's license for future elections.
"It allows us to know after the election exactly who we want to reach out to," Ashcroft said.
Local election authorities like county clerks will play a vital role in implementing the new law properly, and Ashcroft said his office has been working with them to prepare for the changes.
Osage County Clerk Patrick Steele said Ashcroft's office has provided him with informational pamphlets, posters and flyers, and has helped train his office on the changes. He said he doesn't anticipate any major roadblocks to implementing the new law.
"Part of the process as a local election authority is that you're responsible for making sure that the voter is registered, that they are who they say they are, and that they're registered to vote in the right place," Steele said. "This is just one more aspect of that responsibility."
Moniteau County Clerk Roberta Elliott said she's confident her staff will be able to handle the new law but may have to spend more time training poll workers.
"I think it's just going to be more time-consuming just because we haven't really had any changes to go over with them since I've been a clerk," Elliott said.
Ashcroft said his office has held at least eight regional meetings with election authorities, along with multiple conference calls, to answer questions about the law.
His office also will have in-person visits with election authorities in counties that have elections later this year.
Election authorities rely on poll workers the day of the election, and Ashcroft recognized their efforts in ensuring a smooth voting process.
"I appreciate individuals that are willing to do that," Ashcroft said Monday.
"I am confident in how our local election authorities are training poll workers."