Missouri Senate debates new offense for tampering with election officials; bill laid over after extended questioning

Senate Bill 84, offered on the floor by Senator Scott, would create the offense of “tampering with an election official,” enumerating a range of conduct — including threats, use of force, attempts to induce an official to violate election law, stalking and online dissemination of personal information — and making the offense a Class 1 election offense with penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines between $2,500 and $10,000.

The bill drew extended questioning from several senators about whether Missouri law already covers the conduct described, how the bill would be applied to common situations such as photographs or social-media posts, and whether the measure risks criminalizing nonmalicious behavior. Senator Scott, sponsor of the bill, told the chamber the measure was requested by county election officials and county clerks to protect…