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Missouri Senate debates new offense for tampering with election officials; bill laid over after extended questioning
Summary
Senate Bill 84, which would create a new offense of tampering with an election official and raise penalties for harassment and related conduct, drew an extended floor debate on questions about scope, intent and existing law. After lengthy discussion the bill was laid over and placed on an informal (abnormal) calendar for further work.
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 poll workers and said the county clerks’ association supports it. “Poll work is incredibly hard to recruit for already, and now we have workers worried about being targeted,” Senator Scott said. “When we offer something like this ... I think they expect us to have their backs.”
Senators raising concern said they were not convinced the state lacks adequate criminal statutes for harassment, stalking or threats and warned the bill’s language could reach situations that are not malicious. A senator questioning the bill asked whether a person who posts a photograph with a poll worker at a picnic would be exposed to criminal liability under subsection 5; Senator Scott replied that a post would only be a problem if done “with intent” and in connection with the worker’s duties.
Other points made during the debate: - Several senators pressed for clarity on statutory terms cited in the bill text, including what specifically constitutes “harass or intimidate,” “threatens or causes harm,” and conduct “reasonably calculated to harass or alarm.” - Concerns were raised about the practical effect of prescribing a maximum five-year prison term for what some described as conduct that may often be resolved under existing statutes or through local law enforcement responses on election day. - Senator Scott said county clerks and election authorities reported resignations and difficulties recruiting poll workers statewide; she cited examples of clerks stepping down and of election offices investing in increased security measures. - Several senators urged specifying that criminal liability requires malicious intent; Senator Scott said the bill requires intent to harass or intimidate and is aimed at preventing escalation.
After more than an hour of back-and-forth questioning and requests for drafting clarifications, the bill was laid over. The chamber recorded the motion to lay the bill over and the presiding officer directed that the measure be placed on an “abnormal” (informal) calendar for further work.
Why it matters: The bill seeks to respond to reported increases in harassment and intimidation of poll workers in Missouri and elsewhere. Supporters say harsher, targeted penalties will help retain seasoned poll workers and protect voters; critics say existing statutes may already cover most conduct described and want narrower, more precise language to avoid unintended prosecutions.
What’s next: Senators indicated they expected further drafting adjustments and additional conversations with county clerks and election authorities before the bill returns for further action.
