The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition rallied Tuesday at the state Capitol to thank legislators who have stood against a wave of legislation aimed at limiting voter rights.
Some legislators have been standing up for the freedom to vote for all of Missouri's voters, Director Denise Lieberman said.
State leaders have described Missouri's elections as some of the safest or most trustworthy in the nation, she pointed out.
Yet, Missouri saw more voting legislation introduced this year than almost any other state in the nation, Lieberman said.
"The truth of the matter is -- not only has our secretary of state touted the integrity and security of Missouri's election processes -- our local election officials of all political stripes have also certified the security and integrity of our elections," Lieberman said. "We were here today to say that all people deserve to have a voice, regardless of your political party, regardless of your station in life, regardless of your wealth, regardless of how many degrees you have after your name, regardless of whether you have access to a car and can drive to a government office in the middle of the day. You have a right to have a say."
More than 200 supporters traveled to the Capitol to get the message across, she said.
They did so to thank their legislative champions who stood up for the voices of Missourians who were not able to be there Tuesday, Lieberman said.
They were speaking for people who have to take a day off without pay to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles office to get an identification card because offices aren't open evenings and weekends, she said.
They represent the people whose voices often go too unheard in the Capitol, Lieberman said.
"That's what we've come here to do, is to recognize the lawmakers who have been standing up for those folks whose voices often go unheard," she said. "Let them know that Missouri's voters appreciate them."