A Missouri judge upheld a law on Tuesday that requires voters to present government-issued photo identification in order to vote.
What Is the Ruling?
The ruling, made by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem on Tuesday, solidifies the 2016 voter-approved constitutional amendment enabling lawmakers to impose such photo ID requirements, despite pushback from voting rights advocates.
The Missouri law offers alternatives for voters without photo ID, allowing them to cast provisional ballots, which are counted if they return with proper identification the same day or if election officials verify their signatures.
In addition, to mitigate accessibility concerns, the state provides free photo ID cards to those who need them.
Advertisement
Missouri joins 36 other states that either request or mandate identification for voters, with at least 21 specifically requiring photo IDs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem asks questions during a hearing in Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City, Missouri, on May 23, 2018. Beetem upheld a law on Tuesday that requires voters to… Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem asks questions during a hearing in Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City, Missouri, on May 23, 2018. Beetem upheld a law on Tuesday that requires voters to present government-issued photo identification at polling places.
Julie Smith/The Jefferson City News-Tribune/ AP
What Do Supporters of the Law Say?
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, praised the decision, asserting that photo ID requirements are integral to election security. “To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a statement.
Supporters of voter ID laws argue that they prevent fraud and bolster public trust in elections.
What Do Critics Say?
Critics, however, contend that these laws disproportionately burden vulnerable groups, including seniors and people with disabilities, by creating hurdles to obtaining valid identification.
Advertisement
Opposition groups—including the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters, along with two individual voters—challenged the law in 2022 filing a lawsuit, alleging it places undue obstacles in the path of voters and increases the likelihood of provisional ballots being rejected.
Despite these claims, Judge Beetem dismissed the lawsuit, emphasizing that none of the plaintiffs experienced specific harm since the law’s implementation.
“Their claim that their provisional ballots may be rejected is purely speculative,” Beetem wrote. “In addition, the evidence at trial confirms that rejection rates for provisional ballots are low, and the rates specifically for signature-mismatch are exceedingly low.”
In his ruling, Beetem argued that the photo ID requirement enhances election integrity, stating it “protects the fundamental right to vote by deterring difficult to detect forms of voter fraud.”
The plaintiffs, represented by the Missouri ACLU and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, plan to appeal the decision.
Advertisement
Marilyn McLeod, president of the Missouri League of Women Voters, criticized the ruling, saying: “The League believes the state should be making it easier, not harder, for Missourians to exercise their fundamental right to vote.”
“There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” McLeod added.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 5, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
09-17-29-61-66, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Midday: 9-4-6
Advertisement
Midday Wild: 6
Evening: 8-6-5
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Midday: 0-0-9-7
Advertisement
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 3-8-1-1
Evening Wild: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
09-13-26-47-53, Cash Ball: 03
Advertisement
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Early Bird: 04
Morning: 13
Matinee: 06
Prime Time: 02
Advertisement
Night Owl: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
02-04-15-36-37
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
07-10-18-21-61, Powerball: 11
Advertisement
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Advertisement
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
Advertisement
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
BOTTOM LINE: Missouri visits Tulane after Shannon Dowell scored 21 points in Missouri’s 78-71 victory over the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears.
Tulane finished 17-13 overall last season while going 10-5 at home. The Green Wave averaged 68.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score 65.1 last season.
Missouri went 14-18 overall a season ago while going 3-7 on the road. The Tigers shot 43.3% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range last season.
___
Advertisement
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has issued an advisory regarding 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-hydroxy and 7-OH.
It’s an extract of the kratom plant and it’s being marketed as a “natural remedy” for pain relief and brain stimulation. But 164 people in Missouri have died from using Kratom products since 2019, including those containing 7-OH.
Dr. Heidi Miller, Chief Medical Officer for DHSS compares 7-OH to an opioid, saying it can be up to 13 times stronger than morphine.
Advertisement
“Nationally, we have seen patients who have died from overdose have had kratom-type substances in their blood,” she told Missourinet. “Unfortunately, it’s very hard to distinguish between whether or not someone has taken the kratom leaf versus this concentrated 7-OH substance.”
Miller also said the Missouri Poison Center has seen a rise in 7-OH reported cases.
“You know, two years ago, we only had about 19 reports, and then the year after that (2024), we had 25 reports. And this year, 2025 – the year isn’t even done – and we already have 47 reports.”
Miller said 7-OH is unregulated, and products containing the compound can easily be purchased online or at convenience stores, without age restrictions.
“Seven-hydroxy products are sold as, like, little energy shots or powders that can be mixed into drinks,” she said. “There are also versions that can be dissolved in the mouth. There are versions that can be inhaled. There are gummies.”
Advertisement
Symptoms of 7-OH exposure may include:
Nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal distress.
Anxiety, agitation, confusion and insomnia.
Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and trouble breathing.
Seizures, unconsciousness and withdrawal symptoms.
Risk of overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or other sedatives.
Miller said anyone experiencing symptoms or is suspected of overdosing should call 911, and to administer naloxone (Narcan) if any is available.
