Missouri state Sen. Rick Brattin: County officials must follow the law | Opinion

On May 12, the Missouri Supreme Court issued two unanimous decisions making it clear that the congressional maps passed by the Missouri General Assembly are legal and in effect for the upcoming primary election. However, the Boone County clerk has refused to update the county’s voter rolls to reflect the new district boundaries, based on a stated concern that a pending referendum effort may result in the invalidation of the new districts, potentially throwing the county’s ability to conduct the primary into question.

While it is possible opponents of the new districts have collected enough signatures to place the issue on the general election ballot, we do not yet know that answer, and it appears unlikely that we will know before the primary election. As a result, our state must use the maps that are currently in effect and county officials such as Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon are compelled to administer the election based on the laws in place today.

County officials have a duty to follow Missouri statutes as enacted. They do not get to decide selectively which laws they will comply with based on their personal beliefs or political preferences. And as the Missouri Supreme Court has made clear, the “Missouri First” congressional map is the lawful map currently in effect.

Refusing to follow the current maps is tantamount to allowing the referendum to go into effect before its sufficiency is determined, and it is not a county clerk’s place to make this decision.

If every local official in Missouri decided they could disregard statutes whenever litigation was pending, our system of government would quickly descend into chaos. Likewise, county officials cannot refuse to do their duty based on political affiliation or political disagreements with statute.

The Star’s Toriano Porter erred in attempting to blame Secretary of State Denny Hoskins for Lennon’s action. The law provides that Hoskins has until Aug. 4 to review signatures for referenda, because it is vital that no mistakes are made in the signature verification process. Rushing a decision such as this would be detrimental to the voters of Missouri and could produce inaccurate results.

Rick Brattin represents District 31 in the Missouri Senate.