JEFFERSON CITY – The U.S. District Court of Appeals in Missouri’s Western District issued a temporary restraining order Oct. 9 against forcing some absentee voters to get ballots notarized before mailing. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, supported requiring notarizing the ballots. He has taken the position that doing so is vital to the integrity of the voting process. He lashed out against the decision by Judge Brian Wimes as being what amounts to “judicial activism.” He also equated a measure passed by Missouri’s Republican-dominated General Assembly as being what the majority of state residents want. “I am disappointed a federal judge decided to legislate from the bench and overturn the will of the people, through the elected representatives, to have safe and secure elections,” Ashcroft stated. “I have requested the Attorney General’s Office to immediately appeal the decision and request to stay.” Ashcroft’s Democratic Party opponent in the Nov. 3 general…