JACKSON —
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Thursday signed a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, but it’s unclear whether it will become law.
Because of Mississippi’s history of racial discrimination, the state is required to get federal approval for any change in election laws or procedures. The U.S. Justice Department in recent months has rejected voter ID laws from Texas and South Carolina.
The state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is asking the department to reject Mississippi’s proposed law, saying it could disproportionately create hardships for poor, elderly or minority voters who might be less likely to have a photo ID.
Legislative debates about voter ID have been sharply divided along racial lines for years. No black officials attended the bill signing ceremony in the governor’s Capitol office. Bryant was surrounded by several fellow Republicans and some tea party members.
“The legislation makes it easy to obtain a photo ID and put it in the hands of all voters,” Bryant said. “Our hope is to increase participation in the voting process. There is no one within this building that I have ever encountered that says, ‘I hope we can reduce the number of voters that are going to the polls.’ Just quite the opposite. We try and believe that it is our job to encourage this process but also bring about integrity.”
Bryant spokesman Mick Bullock said Democrats who supported voter ID were invited to stand behind the governor during the bill signing.
Supporters of voter ID say it prevents people from masquerading as others to cast a ballot. Opponents say there’s little evidence of that happening.
In last November’s general election, 62 percent of Mississippi voters approved a voter ID constitutional amendment. The bill Bryant signed Thursday is designed to put the ID mandate into law. It would require each voter to show a driver’s license, passport or other photo identification before casting a ballot.
Mississippi’s top elections official, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, said Thursday that he doesn’t expect the new law to be in place for the Nov. 6 presidential and congressional elections.
Hosemann said the voter ID law would need federal approval by July to give his staff time to implement the law’s requirements by the time early voting for military members begins in September.
The proposed law says Mississippi would provide free ID to any voter who needs one, but legislators this session did not set aside money to produce the cards. Hosemann said the money can be budgeted later, if the law receives federal approval.
Attorney General Jim Hood, the only Democrat in statewide elected office, submitted the voter ID constitutional amendment to the Justice Department in January. The department said it needed to see bill that accompanies the amendment.
Hosemann has said he’s skeptical that Mississippi will get fair consideration at the Justice Department. He said he might try an alternate route by asking a panel of federal judges in Washington to consider Mississippi’s proposed law.
The bill is House Bill 921.
State News
Miss. voter ID bill signed, awaits feds’ scrutiny
- State News
-
-
Man wants pay for snakes seized in Miss. porn case
A man serving 30 years after pleading guilty to enticing a teenager to pose for pornographic pictures with venomous snakes has filed a federal lawsuit seeking compensation for the loss of his reptiles.
-
Tornado churns through Oklahoma City suburbs
A mile-wide tornado churned through the Oklahoma City suburbs, destroying homes for the second day in a row Monday, as part of a severe weather outbreak that was expected to spread in other parts of the Plains and Midwest.
-
Tchnology can speed emergency response
Recent national tragedies have reminded us once again how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones and emergency response officials for breaking news. Being technology-ready before disaster strikes is critical to saving lives, connecting friends and family, and assisting first responders.
I -
Miss. seniors get another shot to pass grad tests
Mississippi officials are trying to retest hundreds of high school seniors who flunked exams that are required for graduation.
-
Only abortion clinic in Miss. fights to stay open
It can’t meet the mandates of a 2012 state law and the governor wants to shut it down, but Mississippi’s only abortion clinic is not about to quietly retreat.
-
Ex-BP engineer claims feds withheld evidence
A former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company’s response to its 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico urged a federal judge Tuesday to sanction Justice Department prosecutors for allegedly withholding evidence in the case, a claim the prosecutors deny.
-
Amtrak unveils locomotives to replace aging fleet
When Amtrak unveiled the first of 70 new locomotives Monday at a plant in California, it marked what the national passenger railroad service hopes will be a new era of better reliability, streamlined maintenance and better energy efficiency.
-
Miss. health agency to resume pregnancy work
Mississippi Medicaid officials will resume paying state Health Department workers to help women with high-risk pregnancies.
-
EPA, other US agencies expand urban waters effort
The Environmental Protection Agency, the White House and other federal departments announced Friday that they are expanding a program for restoring and improving urban waterways nationwide.
-
Miss. governor says he could run Medicaid program
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he thinks he can run Medicaid even if lawmakers don’t reauthorize the program or set its budget by the time the state’s new fiscal year starts July 1.
- More State News Headlines
-
Man wants pay for snakes seized in Miss. porn case
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
