Hosemann submits voter ID rules to Justice Department

JACKSON — Proposed administrative rules for the new voter photo identification requirement in the State of Mississippi have been delivered to the United States Department of Justice for approval.

Under the proposed rules, any voter who lacks an acceptable photo ID may obtain a free voter photo ID card from a Mississippi Circuit Clerk’s Office by presenting the same identification materials accepted when an individual registers to vote under the federal Help America Vote Act, the Secretary of State’s Office reported in a release.

The Secretary of State’s Office has entered into an agreement with the Department of Vital Statistics to allow Circuit Clerks to verify birth records of voters who cannot provide these materials, at no cost to the voter. The Secretary of State’s Office also has entered into an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to utilize existing transportation services to provide free transportation for voters who need a free voter ID card but lack transportation to the Circuit Clerk’s Office.