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Ashcroft defends Missouri’s voter photo ID and library oversight proposal

Missouri's election is on Nov. 8.
Brian Munoz
/
St. Louis Public Radio
An enlarged version of a voting sticker in April at the Central Library in downtown St. Louis.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about Missouri’s new law that requires a government-issued photo ID to vote.

Ashcroft also talked about his proposed rule on state library funding, which would include oversight of the material contained in libraries. Details of the rule can be found here. After Nov. 15, there will be a 30-day public comment period about making changes to the proposal.

Here’s what Ashcroft talked about on the program:

  • How Missouri’s government-issued photo identification requirement works and why he thinks it will withstand judicial scrutiny.
  • Missouri’s two-week period in which someone can vote in person without an excuse. Ashcroft said he doesn’t expect the new period will increase turnout, but rather change when existing voters cast their ballots.
  • Why a ballot item legalizing marijuana for recreational use made it to the ballot. Ashcroft said he opposes the measure, as well as a separate issue that would convene a constitutional convention.
  • Confidence in the 2022 election, and whether former President Donald Trump’s continued litigation of President Joe Biden’s victory is sowing distrust in the process.

Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkkellogg

Follow Jay Ashcroft on Twitter: @MissouriSOS

Jason is the politics correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio.
Sarah Kellogg is a Missouri Statehouse and Politics Reporter for St. Louis Public Radio and other public radio stations across the state.