Missouri House Committee passes a bill aimed at preventing voter fraud after hearing opposition

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Intro:	An advocate for Missouri immigrants and refugees testified against a bill increasing voter registration requirements.
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Wrap: The Missouri House Election Committee heard a bill requiring limitations on voter registration.

Vanessa Crawford, Executive Director of Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, says the bill would make it harder for naturalized citizens to register to vote because Missouri licenses are not proof of citizenship.

Actuality:	CRAWFOR1.WAV
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Description: "For people who can not produce a U.S issued birth certificate, they have to put up a lot of money and wait a prohibited amount of time that might get them out of the ability to register for the next election."

The bill will now head to the House floor.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey.

Intro:	A Missouri House committee passed a bill aimed at preventing voter fraud
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Wrap: The Missouri House Election Committee heard a bill sponsored by Republican Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller,

The bill limits the type of identification a Missouri residents can use when registering to vote.

Schoeller says voter fraud is present in Missouri and needs to be regulated.

Actuality:	SCHO1.WAV
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Description: "You know when you go to vote and you take someone's actual identity especially, you know if someone whose not a U.S. citizen voting that's fraud. If you have someone taking your identity and voting as you at the polls thats fraud."

A representative from the Missouri Sec of states office says his office opposes the bill.

The bill will now head to the House floor.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey.

Intro:	According to Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates immigrants penalties for voter fraud are severe enough to prevent it.
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Wrap: The Missouri House Election Committee heard a bill sponsored by Republican Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller.

The bill limits the type of identification a Missouri residents can use when registering to vote.

Vanessa Crawford, Executive Director of Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, says the likelihood of immigrants committing voter fraud is low.

Actuality:	CRAWFORD.WAV
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Description: "If you lie about being a citizen for the purposes of registering to vote, that bars your ability to ever become a citizen ever, and may be grounds for removal."

The bill will now head to the House floor.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Sarah Duffey.