Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

Although the Missouri General Assembly appeared on track to pass important restoration of rights legislation this past year, unfortunately it was unable to get it across the finish line. Meanwhile Secretary of State Ashcroft unilaterally acted to remove the state from ERIC, the multistate voter list maintenance organization. Because the state failed to pass restoration of rights changes, failed to implement even the smallest of pro-voter policies, and pulled out of ERIC, Missouri received a C- on this year’s scorecard.

Looking Back

Where Missouri Started at the Beginning of 2023

• Automatic Voter Registration: No
• Online Voter Registration: Open to all Eligible
• Same-Day Registration: No
• Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: Excuse-Only
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: In-Person Absentee
• ID Requirements: Strict Photo ID

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for Missouri as of 2022, we considered the state a bottom tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2023 activity against other bottom tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2022): 42nd
• EPI Score (2020):  22nd
• CLC State Scorecard (2022): 4/10
• MAP Democracy Rating (2022): LOW

2023: This Past Year

Legislative Action

• The Missouri Legislature did not pass any election-related laws during the 2023 session. Despite several attempts to restore voting rights to returning citizens, language that would have restored voting rights upon release from incarceration was removed in conference committee.

Executive Action

• Last year, Secretary of State Ashcroft withdrew the state from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) without any alternative plan to ensure the state’s voter rolls remain accurate and up-to-date.