The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri (ACLU of Missouri) filed a petition on behalf of Civil Rights Leader Norman Seay, challenging the deceptive summary statement for a sham early voting constitutional amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The summary statement that would appear on the ballot was written by the General Assembly, instead of the Secretary of State, who generally prepares the language that voters see on their ballots. It says:Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to permit voting in person or by mail for a period of six business days prior to and including Wednesday before the election day in all general elections?
“This is an untrue statement because advance voting will only be allowed after a state appropriation and disbursement of millions of dollars,” explains Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri. “Especially troubling is the fact that this proposed constitutional amendment will appear on the ballot along with a separate citizen initiative that would permit early voting without an appropriation contingency.”
“Citizens gathered signatures to allow early voting, but the legislature is trying to trick the voters with a sham constitutional amendment that intentionally misleads,” says ACLU of Missouri Executive Director Jeffrey A. Mittman. “Instead of throwing up roadblocks, our state representatives need to promote democracy by ensuring everyone can cast a ballot.”
