JACKSON —
Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann has delivered to lawmakers three ballot initiatives backed by citizen groups and some political leaders that would require voters to show photo identification, attempt to outlaw abortions in Mississippi and limit the ability of government to take private land.
Supporters of the initiatives met requirements for a statewide referendum by gathering more than 89,000 signatures from certified voters.
The initiatives that will be on the ballot in November. Two of them would require photo identification at the polls and amend the state constitution to declare life begins at conception, not birth. A third would prohibit the government from taking private land through use of eminent domain to give to another person or business.
“I think it’s going to make Mississippians focus on their constitution and where they want the state to go in the future,” Hosemann said Tuesday.
Legislators will decide whether to offer amended versions of the initiatives to appear along with the proposals on the November ballot.
Senate Judiciary A Committee Chairman Joey Fillingane, a Sumrall Republican who authored the voter identification petition, said he’s discussed the matter with Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and there didn’t “seem to be an interest” in offering competing versions of any of the proposals.
Bryant “doesn’t anticipate any changes to the ballot initiatives,” said Mick Bullock, a spokesman for the lieutenant governor.
House Elections Committee Chairman Tommy Reynolds, D-Charleston, said “the ball is in the voters’ court.”
Reynolds said there’s no need to offer amended versions of the proposals without “broad general consensus to do that.”
Voter identification has been a perennial topic at the Capitol. In years past, the issue has been racially divisive, opposed by many lawmakers who said it’s reminiscent of Jim Crow laws that blocked blacks from voting.
“I don’t think we should ask for ID at the polls. Right now, you have a system in place where you have to identify by giving your name. I think that’s sufficient,” Rep. Frances Fredericks, D-Gulfport, said Tuesday.
Les Riley, head of Personhood Mississippi, led a grass-roots effort for the anti-abortion proposal. Bryant also supported the petition. On Tuesday, Riley and Bryant spoke at a rally in support of the initiative. Riley told a crowd of about 50 their help was needed to campaign for the proposal in coming months.
“We’ve got a lot of work in front of us,” Riley said. “(God) has given us an opportunity and we need your help.”
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation sponsored the eminent domain petition. Supporters have said the plan will protect property rights, but opponents contend it could hurt the state’s opportunities of winning big projects.
In 2009, the Legislature by an overwhelming margin passed a bill similar to the federation’s initiative. Republican Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed it, citing the economic concerns.
Hosemann said lawmakers have until May 5 to offer competing measures on the Nov. 8 ballot. Hosemann’s office will hold public hearings in the state’s congressional districts about the proposals in September.
The November ballot will also include candidates for governor and other statewide offices.
State News
Legislature receives initiatives for Nov. ballot
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