Due to space constraints on the various platforms the LWVMO: Legislate Update podcast can be found, not all of the bills we covered are listed below. Visit LWVMO Legislative Bulletin & Calls to Action to learn more about the bills we're tracking as well as links to help you take action.

Voting RightsBill #: SB 896

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill 

Short Description: Creates provisions relating to elections (foreign involvement).

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pension Committee on Monday, February 2 at 2:00 PM.

Talking points:  

• Is vague in defining election officers
• Sets up new reporting requirements
• Allows any voter to bring charges against election officers
• Could be used to harass or intimidate election workers

Call to action: Email committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Members of the Senate Local government, Elections and Pension Committee are found HERE.

Bill #: HB 2480

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill 

Short Description: Reinstates the presidential preference primary.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for hearing in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday, February 3 at 8:00 AM.

• Talking points:  
• Voting happens anonymously through a secret ballot 
• Primaries are run by — and paid for by — state and local governments
• Primary process is a familiar one of official ballots and secure submission of votes
• Primaries are local and more accessible than caucuses for working people, people needing child care, etc 
• Early voting is a feature of primaries, supporting their accessibility 

Call to action: Submit testimony to SUPPORT HB 2480 HERE. Make sure to mark “In Support of” under reason in the testimony form.

Reproductive RightsBill #: HB 2688

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill 

Short Description: An unborn child, at any stage of development, is subject to the protections of the 5th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Executive Session in the House on Wednesday, February 3 at 8:00 AM in the Children and Families Committee.

Talking points:  

• U.S. Constitution law has consistently rejected the idea that embryos or fetuses are “persons” under the 14th Amendment 
• Conception based personhood would create un-administrable legal obligations, including criminal liability for miscarriage or natural embryonic loss 
• Pluralistic society avoids enforcing one moral or religious belief through law; it contradicts science, medicine, and constitutional rights 
• An unborn child being identified as a "person" is not consistent with all religious beliefs of US citizens. Judaism and Islam, among others, do not recognize personhood at conception. This can cause concerns for religious freedom provisions and the First Amendment

Call to action: Email committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Members of the Children and Families committee are found HERE.

FirearmsBill #: SB 908

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill 

Short Description: Removes ability of municipalities to enact any type of firearms ordinances.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on Monday, February 2 at 2:00 PM.

Talking points:  

• Forces a one-size fits all policy that ignores local conditions and local voters 
• Silences local problem solving entirely 
• Takes away limited, practical local laws and replaces them with threats of lawsuits and a 50,000 dollar fine every time a city tries to keep people safe

Link to the summary of the bill: SB908

Call to action: Email committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Members of the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety committee are found HERE.

Social JusticeBill #: HB 2592, HB 2834, HB 2787

LWVMO SUPPORTS these bills

Short Description: Eliminates requirement to complete probation/parole prior to regaining voting rights.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House on Monday, February 2 at 12:00 PM in the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee.

Talking points: 

• This bill eliminates the requirement to complete all probation/parole before regaining voting right
• Incarcerated people can vote, once registered, upon release except if convicted of a voting-related crime

Link to the summary of the bill: HB2592

Call to action: Submit testimony to SUPPORT HB 2592, HB 2834, and HB 2787 HERE. Make sure to mark “In Support of” under reason in the testimony form.

Resources

LWV Voter Power Hour

League Resources

League of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.org

Register to Vote / check vote registration and more at : Vote411.org

There is a Local League near you. Get involved or join today to help protect democracy.

Track Missouri Bills: www.senate.mo.gov | www.house.mo.gov

The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy

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