SB 84 - This act creates the offense of tampering with an election official. A person commits the offense of tampering with an election official if, with the purpose to harass or intimidate an election official in the performance of such official's official duties, such person:

• Threatens or causes harm to such election official or members of such election official's family;

• Uses force, threats, or deception against or toward such election official or members of such election official's family;

• Attempts to induce, influence, or pressure an election official or members of an election official's family to violate Missouri election law;

• Engages in conduct reasonably calculated to harass or alarm such election official or such election official's family, including stalking;

• Disseminates through any means, including by posting on the internet, the personal information of an election official or any member of an election official's family.

The offense of tampering with an election official shall be a class one election offense, punished by imprisonment of not more than five years or by fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars but not more than ten thousand dollars or by both such imprisonment and fine. If a violation of this provision results in death or bodily injury to an election official or a member of the official's family, the offense shall be a class B felony.

This act is identical to a provision in SB 926 (2024), substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023) and similar to a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HB 2052 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2206 (2024).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Statutes affected:
Introduced (0911S.01): 115.638


Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 84
Sponsor: Burger
Hearing Date: 1/27/2025


COMMITTEE: Local Government, Elections and Pensions

CHAIRMAN: Black

DATE REFERRED: 1/16/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Matt Choinka
Josh Norgerg
Scott Svagera


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Sherry Parks - Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities
Kurt Bahr - St. Charles County Director of Elections
Steve Hobbs - Missouri Association of Counties
Marilyn McLeod - League of Women Voters of MO
Nick La Strada - Assistant Director of Elections Missouri Secretary of State's Office
Denise Lieberman - Missouri Voter Protection Coalition
Chris Roepe - Secure Democracy USA
Alex Eaton - Secure Elections Project
Elizabeth Franklin


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Bev Ehlen - Warren County Republican Committee
Bev Ehlen - Liberty Link Missouri
Lisa Pannett - Armorvine