Voter education session highlights new Missouri election laws

Missouri voting advocates are trying to reach more than 41,000 people whose voting rights were restored under a new state law — including some who may not realize they are eligible to cast ballots Nov. 3.

The outreach comes as the country recognizes National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday. The new law was among the issues discussed Monday during a voter education session hosted by the Deaconess Foundation in partnership with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.

“There are people who have been off probation and parole for years who still think they can’t vote,” said Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.

Lieberman recalled recently registering a man who believed his felony conviction prevented him from voting despite completing probation 25 years earlier.

“You could have been voting this whole time,” Lieberman recalled telling him. “And the emotion in this man’s face … was incredibly powerful.”

Under the new state law, which took effect Aug. 28, people on probation or parole for many felony convictions can register and vote after being released from incarceration. Previously, people serving felony probation or parole generally had to complete their supervision before regaining voting rights.

People on probation or parole for certain offenses, including murder, some serious assaults, first-degree burglary and sexual offenses, remain ineligible until they complete their supervision.

The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition has developed educational materials and is working with criminal justice reform and reentry organizations to reach people who may now be eligible.

Anthony Taylor, founder of Amp Connections, a nonprofit supporting youth affected by trauma and gun violence, said reaching underserved communities with accurate information was one reason he attended Monday’s session.

“I’m always trying to educate, always trying to get the information to the community,” Taylor said. “Especially in a community that is underserved, to make sure they know that they have a voice.”

Taylor said voting eligibility for people with criminal convictions was among his biggest takeaways.

“A lot of the information you do not know, or you feel like you’re ineligible,” Taylor said.

The session also covered voter registration, early voting, identification requirements, voting rights for people with disabilities and other election procedures.

Lieberman said the coalition works to ensure voting is fair and accessible, particularly for communities that have historically faced barriers at the ballot.

“The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition is so grateful to be able to partner with the Deaconess Foundation to help ensure that everybody has the tools they need to be able to make their voice heard this November,” Lieberman said.

DeMarco Davidson, executive director of Metropolitan Congregations United, said changing election laws and court decisions can leave voters confused.

“We continue to see how challenging all the new laws, or even the new things that are happening within the Missouri Supreme Court [and] with the Missouri Legislature — it’s confusing,” Davidson said. “It usually leads people to feeling like nothing matters or even being disenfranchised.”

Davidson said expanded voting eligibility for people on probation or parole was particularly significant because MCU began advocating for the issue several years ago.

“This work is meaningful and valuable,” Davidson said. “It’s going to take a whole entire community to create the Missouri we want to live in.”

Missouri’s voter registration deadline for the November election is Oct. 7. New voters must register by the deadline, while registered voters who have moved should make sure their registration reflects their current address.

Lieberman noted that St. Louis city and St. Louis County are separate election jurisdictions, meaning voters who move from one to the other may need to update their registration.

No-excuse absentee voting, commonly referred to as early voting, begins Oct. 20 and continues through 5 p.m. Nov. 2. Missouri also allows voters who meet certain requirements to cast absentee ballots earlier. Mailed absentee ballots generally must be notarized, although exceptions apply to some voters.

On Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. is allowed to vote.

Missouri requires voters casting ballots in person to present an acceptable Missouri or federal photo ID, such as a Missouri driver’s or nondriver license, U.S. passport or military ID.

Registered voters without an acceptable photo ID may cast a provisional ballot, which can be counted if they return with acceptable identification or election officials determine their signature matches the one in their voter registration record.

“Don’t leave the poll without voting,” Lieberman said.

Voters with limited mobility may be able to vote curbside, while those who need assistance reading or completing their ballots also have the right to receive help.

The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition plans to expand its Election Protection program during early voting and Election Day. Trained representatives will be available to help voters with registration, identification, accessibility and other issues.

For questions, concerns or problems at the polls, Lieberman encouraged voters to call the Election Protection hotline at 866-687-8683.

“We are fighting not just for ourselves,” Davidson said, “but for the future of Missouri as well.”