JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A proposal that’s key to Republican efforts to require people to show photo identification when voting has passed the Missouri Senate.

Senators voted 24-8 along party lines Wednesday to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow for such a law.
It needs another House vote. If passed, the measure would bypass Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon and head to voters to decide.

Senate Democrats allowed the proposed constitutional amendment and a companion statutory change to pass after about a month of trying to block it. Republicans agreed to allow people without a photo ID to cast a ballot if they sign a statement saying they don’t have the required identification and can show some other form of ID, such as a paycheck or utility bill.

The legislative session ends Friday.