Rep. Cynthia Davis: Totally off the Mark

The Turner Report captured a column written over the weekend by Rep. Cynthia Davis (R-O’Fallon) in response to the many calls she has received in opposition to a photo ID requirement in Missouri. Not only was her column based in rumors, stereotypes and misgivings but it also completely missed the mark. In her assertions, Davis claimed:

None of us should want to see our elections subverted by van loads of people rounded up and herded into our polling places to vote illegally.

First of all, the Department of Justice and Secretaries of State past and present have pointed out there are no recorded instances of in-person voter impersonation in Missouri. This is a law that Davis believes will deter illegal voters from going to polls but the intended effect is that a photo ID law will discourage eligible, registered Missouri voters.

Later in the column Davis continues exclaimed that:

Some of my constituents stated that these callers have told them that the state was taking away the right to vote from seniors and low-income individuals. This proposal does not take away anyone’s right to vote.

We are happy that Davis is taking calls from her constituents but we fear she isn’t listening. Davis continues to deny that this proposal would make it INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT for voters to actually cast ballots. Photo ID would take the fundamental act of voting and turn it into a bureaucratic nightmare full of expensive and time consuming obstacles for voters without a valid driver’s licenses, military IDs or passports. These persons include disabled, minority and urban area voters. Just the types of voters that Rep. Davis isn’t concerned about or interested in protecting. Shame on you Cynthia for not really listening to Missouri Voters and passing HCS HJR 9 out of committee!