FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Enough is Enough—End Voter Suppression Now!

Group opposes bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote

Members of the League of Young Voters Education Fund call on state leaders to oppose joint resolution 48 – a bill that would place undue burdens on young voters, minorities, and the elderly.

St. Louis – Members of the League of Young Voters Education Fund call on state leaders to oppose joint resolution 48 – a bill that would place undue burdens on young voters, minorities, and the elderly. 

“This is typical election year politics,” said Rob 'Biko' Baker, Executive Director of the League of Young Voters Education Fund. "In a state like Missouri where elections are won by small margins, it's obvious that the accuracy of voter registration rolls is not the primary motivation behind this legislation."

The League of Young Voters Education Fund opposes laws that aim to undermine public confidence in our democracy, by instituting restrictions that create further barriers for groups that have been historically left out of the political process.

"What we're seeing is an intentional push to disenfranchise voters" said Frank Corona of the League of Young Voters Education Fund in St. Louis. "I can't believe that we are seriously considering changing our state's constitution because of unsubstantiated accusations of voter fraud. This bill will violate the constitutional rights of some of our state's most vulnerable citizens."

The legislation would require all voters to provide proof of citizenship upon registering to vote.  The Missouri House gave final approval on Thursday May 8th to the proposed constitutional amendment and it moved on to the state Senate. Last night, the Missouri Senate elections committee passed the legislation 5 to 4 and a final version could be voted on and passed in the state Senate before the state's legislative session ends this Friday. Although the Supreme Court recently upheld an Indiana state law that required voters to show photo identification at the polls, Missouri's Supreme Court struck down a similar law in 2006 as being an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental right to vote, by a 6-1 vote.

"With all the real economic hardships residents of our state are currently facing, I can't understand why we're spending time on theoretical 'what-if' scenarios." said Bradley Veltre, a local resident. "If any politicians want my vote this year, they're going to have to focus on real issues instead of election year games."

Immediate action can be taken by calling your Senator and demanding they oppose Joint Resolution 48. You can find your Missouri State Senator at http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx. You can contact your Senator by calling the Missouri Capitol Switchboard at 573-751-2000.

In addition, Missouri Pro Vote will be hosting a phone bank today, May 13th, from 1pm to 3pm at the SEIU Dailer Room 5585 Pershing Avenue, St. Louis, MO. League volunteers will be calling voters to encourage them to contact their Senators and demand they oppose Joint Resolution 48.
 

For more information or to volunteer for the campaign contact Frank Corona with the League of Young Voters Education Fund St. Louis, MO at stlouis@youngvoter.org

The League of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF) is the League of Young Voters' 501(c)(3) sister organization. LYVEF works to empower young people nationwide to participate and engage their communities in the civic process. With a focus on non-college youth from low-income communities and communities of color in the civic process, LYVEF makes civic engagement relevant by meeting young people where they are, working on issues that affect their lives, and providing them with tools, training, and support to play a stronger role in shaping our future.

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