State of Missouri

Missouri Voter Assistance Limitations Challenge

Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services v. Ashcroft

Lawsuit filed on behalf of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, VozKC and voters against Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft (R), the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners, the St. Louis County Board of Elections and Boon County Clerk challenging Missouri’s limits on voter assistance. State laws prohibit volunteers who are not immediate family members or election judges from assisting more than one voter with a physical disability or who cannot read or write with completing their ballots. The plaintiffs request an injunction finding that the voter assistance limitations violate Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

On Oct. 27, the court stayed the case pending a decision in a similar lawsuit, Arkansas United v. Thurston, which is currently before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Case Documents

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