Neosho Rep. Baker’s resolution to safeguard voting passes Missouri House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at fortifying the state’s electoral process and ensuring the integrity of our elections.

Sponsored by State Representative Ben Baker, of Neosho, HJR 104 proposes to amend the Constitution to enshrine key voting procedures and requirements, passed with a majority vote, underscoring the legislature’s dedication to ensuring fair and transparent elections for all Missourians. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Only citizens of the United States would be entitled to vote in public elections.
• All elections must be conducted using paper ballots or any mechanical method prescribed by law. This aims to ensure transparency and prevent tampering.
• Each voter is entitled to only one vote for each issue or open seat being voted on in an election. This prevents multiple votes by a single individual.
• The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a primary election for a party becomes the sole candidate for that party in the general election, unless removed or replaced by law.  The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the general election is declared the winner.
• Voting machines must be tested and certified as secure according to federal standards before each election in which they will be used. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the voting process.

“This legislation was created in an effort to safeguard our democratic process. By codifying essential voting procedures into our state Constitution, we are sending a clear message that the integrity of our elections is paramount,” Baker, R-Neosho, said. “This resolution reinforces our commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote in a secure and transparent manner.”

“This legislation enshrines our constitutional voting standard of one person, one vote,” House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said. “This initiative not only enhances public confidence but also provides a vital safeguard against potential attempts to introduce alternative voting systems, such as ranked choice voting, which could undermine the integrity of our democratic process. By enshrining key voting procedures into our state Constitution, we are sending a clear message that Missouri is committed to fair and transparent elections.”

The resolution’s passage marks a significant step in Missouri’s ongoing efforts to uphold the sanctity of its electoral process. With a shared commitment to democracy, the Missouri House has taken a crucial step towards ensuring fair, transparent, and secure elections for all citizens.

Representative Ben Baker, a Republican, represents Newton County (District 160) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. For more information, please contact Rep. Baker’s office at 573-751-9781 or by email at Ben.Baker@House.Mo.Gov.