JEFFERSON CITY | Missouri state Sen. Bill Stouffer is running for secretary of state.

The Napton Republican announced his candidacy for the statewide office in a statement this morning. The election is in 2012.

The office is currently held by a Democrat, Robin Carnahan, who was elected in 2004 and again in 2008.

She has not declared whether she will seek reelection for a third term.

In his statement, Stouffer pegged voter fraud as the key issue for his campaign. Among the secretary of state’s duties is the administration of elections.

This year, Stouffer has sponsored legislation to require voters to show photo identification at the polls. The bills passed the Senate this week.

“Missouri has a rich history of competitive, close elections. Many in the last year were decided by a handful of votes,” he said. “But the current measures we take to verify the integrity of these elections are unacceptable.”

He also said he would work to “streamline” business registration processes. Overseeing business incorporation is another of the office’s duties.

Stouffer’s announcement wasn’t exactly a surprise. He listed the secretary of state as his “office sought” on Missouri Ethics Commission documents several months ago.