Jackson Free Press

Jackson, MS—The Department of Justice has responded to the State’s request for pre-clearance of the voter ID law as presented in House Bill 921 (2012), announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

In its response to the State, DOJ says more information is necessary in order to be able to determine that the proposed changes “neither have a discriminatory purpose nor will have a discriminatory effect.” The DOJ included a list of information needed to complete its review of the submission (see attached letter for complete list). That list includes a copy of data that supports the state’s determination that voter ID “will not have a retrogressive effect on minority citizens in the effective exercise of their electoral franchise”. The DOJ also asks to review a detailed description of any measures the State intends to put in place to “ameliorate this prohibited effect”, which would include the rules and regulations being created by the Secretary of State.

“All the DOJ is saying in this response is that they need more details of the State’s plan in order to make a determination,” said Attorney General Hood. “What this means is that the Voter ID requirement will not be in place before the November election,” said Attorney General Hood. “You will not be required to show ID at the poll until DOJ interposes no objections or pre-clears Mississippi’s voter ID bill. ”

Some of the requested information is already compiled and can be easily provided. Once the State provides the requested information, the DOJ will have 60 days to respond.

Any election officials or court clerks with questions about voter ID and the upcoming election can contact the Attorney General’s Office at 601-359-3680.