Ashcroft urges election integrity reform, announces countdown

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that a countdown clock will be displayed on his office’s website to show the time left in the 2022 legislative session to pass election integrity reform. Read the full press release below:

The countdown – which began at noon – coincides with the start of session. “I want to continue to bring attention to the importance of elections,” said Ashcroft.  “I believe elections are a foundational part of our republic; for the people – by the people.  It is a privilege to live in the United States and to vote according to conscience – it is our right as Missourians to have safe, secure elections with timely, accurate results.”

Ashcroft said, “I believe it is the responsibility of the legislature to protect the integrity of Missouri’s election process and ensure every legal vote counts by passing election integrity reform.”

Secretary Ashcroft is working again with the legislature to put in place safeguards that would include:

• Photo ID requirements for in-person voting coupled with strong ID requirements for absentee voting.
• Using hand-marked paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines.
• Enact legislation, with the necessary funding included, that would allow the secretary of state to audit election results.
• Develop procedures to limit the handling of cast ballots by election authorities and eliminate the curing of absentee ballots.
• Require election authorities to maintain accurate, up-to-date voter rolls and withhold funding if necessary for noncompliance and allow the secretary of state’s office to audit the list of registered voters for accuracy and accountability.
• Enable physical cybersecurity testing at the local level by the secretary of state’s office or authorized party that includes penetration testing of vendor machines, programs and systems.
• Only use election equipment that is not capable of internet connectivity to avoid the possibility of electronic manipulation.
• Disallow election law or rule changes less than 26 weeks prior to a presidential election.
• Eliminate third-party compensation for those who solicit voter registrations.

Visit the secretary of state’s website to view the countdown and for more information on Missouri elections.