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VOTERS TAKE NOTICE! Federal Judge Finds Department of Revenue Violated Federal Election Law, Secretary of State’s Office Notifies Missourians by Mail

    Jefferson City, Mo. — A federal judge found that the Missouri Department of Revenue violated the National Voter Registration Act, commonly called the “Motor Voter” law, by not providing all Missourians who changed their mailing address on driver or non-driver licenses an opportunity to also change their voter registration. Around Aug. 1, 2017, the department revised their change of address process, effectively eliminating the step through which customers could update their address with the secretary of state’s office or local election authority. To assist the department in complying with the judge’s order, the secretary of state’s office mailed 22,404 notices, which included a voter registration application, to Missourians who changed their mailing address on driver and non-driver licenses with the Department of Revenue between Aug. 1, 2017, and Sept. 26, 2018. If individuals used the department’s driver or non-driver license change of address procedure online or on Form 4160, they will receive a notification with instructions to check their voter registration information or register to vote. Should a Missourian receive this notice, be advised the deadline for registering to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election is Oct. 10. Mail-in voter registration applications must be postmarked by Oct. 10.