Missouri Supreme Court to Review Voting Rights Lawsuit Amid COVID-19

A lawsuit aimed at ensuring safe voting access during the COVID-19 pandemic is advancing to the Missouri Supreme Court. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Missouri, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition initiated this legal action after Judge Jon Beetem dismissed the case. The lawsuit seeks to clarify that all eligible voters who are self-isolating to avoid COVID-19 can use the confinement-due-to-illness rationale to request absentee ballots. This legal challenge comes as Missouri prepares for three upcoming elections in June, August, and November 2020.

In Redistricting Wars, Black and Brown Voters Stand to Lose

Recently, Missouri lawmakers passed legislation allowing voters who are ill or at high risk for severe COVID-19 complications to cast absentee ballots without needing a notary. However, this legislation still requires voters who vote by mail for reasons other than illness to obtain a notary seal on their ballot envelope. Sophia Lakin, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, emphasized that the expansion of absentee ballot access is a necessary measure to protect public health and voting rights during the pandemic.

In Redistricting Wars, Black and Brown Voters Stand to Lose

Denise Lieberman, co-counsel for the lawsuit and general counsel for the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, stated that the case addresses critical issues regarding voters' ability to safely exercise their right to vote. Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri, expressed confidence that the Missouri Supreme Court would ultimately resolve these important questions. Nimrod Chapel, president of the Missouri State Conference NAACP, criticized the dismissal of the case, asserting that attempts to restrict voting access through legislation would ultimately fail.

Evelyn Maddox, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri, expressed disappointment that the court did not address the need to waive the notary requirement for all absentee voters. She argued that the notary requirement poses a barrier to voting, particularly during a time when safety is paramount. The ongoing legal battle highlights broader concerns about voting access and the implications of restrictive voting laws.

The lawsuit in Missouri is part of a larger national conversation about voting rights, particularly for marginalized communities. Recent redistricting efforts in states like Texas and Missouri have raised alarms about potential voter suppression, particularly affecting Black and Brown voters. As the Supreme Court considers cases that may impact voting rights, advocates warn that the erosion of protections could lead to further disenfranchisement.

In Redistricting Wars, Black and Brown Voters Stand to Lose

The Missouri Supreme Court is expected to hear the case soon, which will determine the extent of absentee voting rights amid the pandemic. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how voting access is managed in the state during ongoing public health concerns. Advocates remain vigilant, prepared to continue their fight for equitable voting access regardless of the court's decision.