*Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

June 4, 2020

*Governor Parson Takes Security Measures to Safeguard Election Process, Protect Missouri Voters During COVID-19*

*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) * Today,Governor Mike Parson took security measures to safeguard the election process and protect Missouri voters during COVID-19 by signing SB 631 into law.

Any Missourian affected by COVID-19 should still be able to vote, including those who are sick or considered at-risk, *Governor Parson* said. I applaud Senator Dan Hegeman, Representative Dan Shaul, and the rest of the legislature for taking this important step, which provides Missourians with a safe and secure way to vote while still safeguarding our elections and ballot process.

I fully agree with President Trumps position and do not support any plan to expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, *Governor Parson* continued. This only enables voter fraud and ballot harvesting, and I am proud to sign this bill to stop that process from happening in our state.

Under SB 631, a mail-in absentee ballot will only be an option for voters who specifically request one. To prevent voter fraud and ballot harvesting, voters must also submit a notarized statement under penalty of perjury with their ballot. Ballots must be returned and received in an envelope postmarked by U.S. Mail by 7 p.m. on election day.

By requiring a signature verification, this provision reduces the opportunity for individuals to fraudulently cast another voters ballot and provides a safe, secure, and legal way for Missourians to vote during the pandemic.

We are not against voting by mail for people who have a reason. Our current law allows for that, and this bill allows for that, *Governor Parson* said. What we are against, and what President Trump is against, is voting absentee without a reason and without a signature verification. That is a non-secure way to handle voting absentee, as is ballot harvesting. Signing SB 631 ensures this will not happen in the state of Missouri.

SB 631 also includes a provision giving voters who have contracted or are at-risk of contracting COVID-19 the option to cast an absentee ballot without notarization. Both provisions will expire on December 31, 2020.

Other provisions of the legislation include modifications to the following:


* Investigative powers for the Secretary of State
* Candidate filing fees
* Political activities by state employees
* Financial interest statements
* Secretary of States Technology Trust Fund

To view SB 631, click here [ [link removed] ].

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*Contact: Kelli R. Jones*

Communications Director

Work: 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson PO Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]