Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (R-Lake Winnebago) and State Representative Jeff Vernetti (R-Camdenton) introduced complementary bills to restore the integrity of the citizen initiative petition process. Specifically, both bills will require non-profits that engage in election-related or political work to participate in the federal E-Verify program.

Following reports of illegal aliens being employed by out-of-state nonprofits to collect signatures for Missouri ballot initiatives, which was first uncovered by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, these bills will protect our ballot initiative petition process from being influenced by illegal aliens.

Read Congressman Alford’s federal legislation, the Protect our Ballots Act, here.

Read Rep. Vernetti’s state-level legislation, H.B. 3383, here.

“Election integrity is one of the most pressing issues facing elected officials at all levels,” said Congressman Mark Alford. “The sanctity of our elections, regardless of whether one is voting for President of the United States, a ballot petition, or a local school board, is paramount to the survival of our republic. Requiring nonprofits who engage in election-related activity to participate in the E-Verify program is a commonsense step to ensure our elections are not influenced by illegal aliens. I’m proud to parter with by good friend, Rep. Jeff Vernetti, on these critical bills.”

"I am proud to partner with Congressman Alford to combat out-of-state signature collectors, some of whom are employing illegal aliens to negatively affect Missouri's Constitution," said Representative Jeff Vernetti.  "Requiring nonprofit corporations to use the E-Verify system is a vital step Missouri must take in order to protect the citizen initiative petition process."

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