As a staunch advocate for election integrity, ACT4MO strongly opposes HB 1055, a bill that seeks to amend Missouri’s absentee voting laws. We believe that the widespread use of absentee ballots, except for those serving in the military, opens our elections to fraud and misuse. While HB 1055 attempts to make absentee ballots more secure, it misses the mark. The focus should not be on patching a flawed system but on eliminating absentee ballots and early voting entirely to ensure elections remain trustworthy and secure.
Key Provisions of HB 1055
HB 1055 amends sections 115.295 and 115.300 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). Below are the key provisions and their locations within the bill:
- Section 115.295:
- Receipt of absentee ballots must be logged by the election authority (line 2).
- If a ballot envelope is incomplete or lacks notarization, the election authority must notify the voter with instructions to fix it (lines 4-9).
- Voters may submit a new statement to provide missing information (lines 10-12).
- Only election authority staff can contact voters about missing details; third-party groups are barred (lines 14-16).
- Missing information must be submitted post-receipt, with no ballot alterations allowed (lines 17-20).
- Ballots are accepted if corrected by poll closing; otherwise, they’re rejected (lines 21-24).
- Ballot envelopes are securely stored and opened only as legally required (lines 25-26).
- Section 115.300:
- Election authorities may begin preparing absentee ballots for counting upon receipt, provided they give 48-hour notice to county chairmen of major political parties (lines 1-4).
- Preparation must be handled by bipartisan teams (lines 5-7).
These provisions aim to tighten absentee ballot procedures, but they fail to address the inherent vulnerabilities of the practice itself—particularly the dangerous practice of “curing” absentee ballots.
The Dangers of “Curing” Absentee Ballots
One of the most concerning aspects of HB 1055 is its allowance for the “curing” of absentee ballots. Curing refers to the process where voters are permitted to fix issues with their ballots—such as missing signatures, incomplete information, or lack of notarization—after the ballot has been submitted. While this might seem like a way to ensure valid votes are counted, it introduces significant risks that undermine election integrity.
1. Increased Risk of Fraud
- Allowing voters to “cure” ballots after submission creates opportunities for fraud. Once a ballot is in the system, the curing process opens a window for unauthorized individuals—whether election officials or third parties—to alter or influence the ballot under the guise of “fixing” it. This is especially dangerous in a system already vulnerable to misuse, like absentee voting.
2. Administrative Burden and Errors
- The curing process places an unnecessary burden on election officials, who must track down voters, verify corrections, and ensure compliance within tight deadlines. This increases the likelihood of human error, delays in vote counting, and inconsistencies in how ballots are handled across different jurisdictions. Overwhelmed systems are more prone to mistakes, which can compromise the accuracy of election results.
3. Unequal Application
- Curing procedures may not be applied uniformly. Some voters might receive timely notifications and assistance, while others—particularly in rural or underserved areas—may not. This disparity can lead to unequal treatment of ballots, raising concerns about fairness and potentially disenfranchising certain voters.
4. Voter Confusion
- The curing process can confuse voters, especially those unfamiliar with the intricacies of absentee voting. Voters may not understand what is required to “fix” their ballot or may miss deadlines, leading to their votes being discarded. This complexity undermines the principle of a straightforward, accessible voting process.
5. Extended Election Timelines
- Curing absentee ballots prolongs the election process, as officials must wait for voters to submit corrections up until the close of polls. This delays the finalization of results and creates uncertainty, which can erode public trust in the electoral system.
ACT4MO opposes curing because it complicates an already flawed absentee voting system. Instead of introducing more opportunities for error and manipulation, we advocate for a simple, secure voting process: single-day, in-person voting with paper ballots, where issues are resolved at the polling place, not after the fact.
Examples of Misuse and Abuse
Absentee ballots and early voting have a troubling history of fraud and misuse. Real-world examples underscore the risks:
- In the 2020 election, reports emerged of ballot harvesting, where individuals collected and submitted ballots on behalf of others, raising concerns about coercion and vote tampering.
- Cases of absentee ballots being lost, stolen, or altered have surfaced across multiple elections, eroding trust in the process.
- A Heritage Foundation study highlights that absentee voting is more prone to fraud than in-person voting, citing higher error rates and inconsistencies.
- Early voting, with its extended timeline, amplifies opportunities for manipulation, as seen in instances where ballots were mishandled or illegally influenced over weeks-long voting periods.
These examples demonstrate that absentee ballots and early voting are not just theoretical risks—they’ve been exploited in practice, compromising election integrity.
The Case Against Absentee Ballots and Early Voting and Against HB 1055
ACT4MO’s opposition stems from the clear dangers these practices pose:
- Fraud Opportunities: Absentee ballots are ripe for harvesting, tampering, or outright forgery, far beyond the reach of polling place oversight.
- Errors and Inconsistencies: Mail-in processes introduce human and logistical errors, undermining result accuracy.
- Voter Distrust: Extended voting periods and mailed ballots fuel uncertainty, shaking public confidence in fair outcomes.
HB 1055’s tweaks—notification requirements, bipartisan teams, and curing procedures—may sound reassuring, but they’re Band-Aids on a broken system. The real solution is to remove the problem, not refine it.
ACT4MO’s Vision for Election Integrity
ACT4MO stands for a return to secure, transparent elections:
- Single-day, in-person voting with paper ballots, counted by hand.
- Making Election Day a holiday to ensure accessibility for all.
- Limiting absentee ballots to military personnel, whose service demands an exception.
This model eliminates the vulnerabilities of absentee ballots and early voting, ensuring every vote is cast and counted under strict, observable conditions. It’s a proven, straightforward way to safeguard democracy.
Conclusion: Oppose HB 1055
HB 1055’s efforts to secure absentee ballots, including the dangerous practice of curing, are well-intentioned but misguided. ACT4MO opposes the bill because it props up a system prone to fraud and misuse instead of dismantling it. We call for the elimination of absentee ballots (except for military use) and early voting, replacing them with a voting process that prioritizes integrity over convenience. Missourians deserve elections they can trust—HB 1055 doesn’t deliver that.
Call to Action: Contact your representatives today and urge them to reject HB 1055. Demand a voting system that protects every ballot and upholds election integrity.