Voting rights under attack in Missouri

On August 28, we commemorate the March on Washington and the historic victories it led to for our democracy as a whole, and people of color in particular. As we celebrate, however, we are painfully aware that the attacks on our freedom, attacks on our democracy, and attacks on our rights as citizens are not only something we read about in text books. These attacks are all too real today.

Today, just as was the case on this day 53 years ago, working people, the labor community and people of color are standing together fighting for our freedom to vote and fully participate in our country’s great democracy. Extremists in the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature voted to put a new constitutional amendment option on ballot that, if it passed, will make it harder, if not impossible, for nearly 220,000 Missourians who do not own the proper photo ID to vote.

Let us say that again: Nearly 220,000 hard-working Missourians, almost 7 percent of our voting-age population, lack the proper government-issued photo ID. African Americans, senior citizens, students, and working people would be affected more than others.

It is estimated to cost tax payers $17 million to implement this law. Seventeen million dollars of our hard-earned money, to do what? The reality is that voter ID fraud in Missouri is not a problem. Instead, this is government overreach and unnecessary spending.

A coalition of Democrats and Republicans want to protect the voting rights our citizens. They want to be fiscally responsible. Most importantly, this coalition is fueled by the simple reality that voter ID is not needed. Impersonating someone else at the polls is so uncommon that the Missouri Secretary of State’s office has repeatedly gone on record saying that there have been no documented cases of voter impersonation.

Today, too many of us take for granted that every citizen has the right to vote. The right to have each of our voices heard in an election. It is the words of John Lewis, the youngest featured speaker at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – “one man, one vote” – that ring true and patriotic. In fact, it sounds so much like common sense that for many, it is hard to comprehend that this needed to be said then or now.

This bipartisan coalition is actively trying to stop this voter ID legislation. This coalition knows the truth: There is no need for voter ID. Voter ID laws would waste millions of tax-payer money. Voter ID is a restriction of our individual freedom. Voter ID, plain and simple, is unpatriotic.

We cannot let the Republican extremists win this battle. It will cost us too much.

The reminder of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ words continue to be as needed to inspire us today, just as they did over 50 years ago. Together, we have overcome great obstacles. Together, we are ready to do that again in the legislative veto session in September to stop the override of HB 1631.

And just as importantly, on November 8 we must each cast our “NO” vote on Constitutional Amendment 6, ensuring our voices are heard loud and clear. We protect our individual freedom. We will stop Voter ID.

Rod Chapel Jr. is president of Missouri NAACP and Mike Louis is president of Missouri AFL-CIO.