Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Important Information on Mississippi's New Voter ID Requirements

When do voters have to start showing photo ID to vote?

Beginning with the June 3, 2014, Primary Election, all Mississippians voting at the polls will be required to show a photo ID card.  Also, individuals voting in person by absentee ballot in person in the Circuit Clerk's office prior to the June 3, 2014 Primary Election Day will be required to show a photo ID.
  
Eligible voters casting an absentee ballot by mail for the Primary Election on June 3, 2014, do NOT have to show a photo ID. Also, overseas and uniformed military voting by absentee ballot by email or fax do not have to show a photo ID.

What forms of photo ID are required on Election Day?

Any one of the following types of photo IDs may be used on Election Day:
  1. A driver's license
  2. A photo ID card issued by a branch, department, or entity of the State of Mississippi
  3. A United States passport
  4. A government employee ID card
  5. A firearms license
  6. A student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college, or community/junior college
  7. A United States military ID
  8. A tribal photo ID
  9. Any other photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government or any State government
  10. A Mississippi Voter Identification Card

May a voter use an expired photo Id on Election Day?
You may use an expired photo ID as long as it is an acceptable form of photo ID and is not more than 10 years old. ­The expired ID must contain the name and photograph of the voter, and have been validly issued by the federal or a state government.


Who may a voter call if he/she has questions about the photo ID requirements?
Simply EMAIL us at MSVoterID@SOS.MS.GOV or call 1-855-868-3745 and let us know how we can help.

Who is exempt from the photo ID requirements?
·         Voters who vote an absentee ballot by mail, fax or email
·         Voters with religious objections to being photographed


What happens if a voter does not have a photo ID on Election Day?
A voter who does not have photo ID on Election Day will be asked to vote by a­ffidavit ballot at the
polling place.  The voter will then have five (5) business days to show an acceptable form of photo ID,
or apply for a Mississippi Voter ID card, at the Circuit Clerk’s o­ffice.

What if the voter does not have any of the acceptable forms of photo ID?
FREE Mississippi Voter ID cards will be available at any Circuit Clerk’s o­ffice beginning in January
2014.

Who quali­ties for a FREE Mississippi Voter Identi­fication card?
Any eligible voter who does NOT have an acceptable form of photo ID qualities for a FREE Mississippi Voter Identification card.

Where is the closest Circuit Clerk’s office?
Visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ms.gov to find the closest Circuit Clerk’s o­ffice; call the
Secretary of State’s Voter ID hotline toll free at 1-855-868-3745 or 1-844-678-6837; or visit the Voter
ID website at www.MSVoterID.ms.gov.

 How does a voter get a Mississippi Voter Identi­fication card?
To get a FREE Mississippi Voter Identification card, the voter must bring any ONE of the following to
the Circuit Clerk’s O­ffice:
• Any expired but valid photo identity document having the voter’s name and photograph issued by
the U.S. government or any U.S. state
• A birth certificate or any other document with the voter’s full legal name, date and place of birth
• A Social Security card
• A Medicare card
• A Medicaid card
• A Mississippi Voter Registration Card
• Any of the following, as long as it includes the voter’s name and current address:
• Utility bill issued within the preceding six (6) months
• Bank statement issued within the preceding six (6) months
• Paycheck issued within the preceding six (6) months
• Government check issued within the preceding six (6) months
• IRS Form W-2, Wages and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year

If a voter does not have any of the documents listed, can the voter still get a
Mississippi Voter Identi­fication card?
Yes, the Circuit Clerk’s O­ffice can verify a voter’s birth information free of charge. The voter must
give the Circuit Clerk the following information:
• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• State of birth
• Gender at birth
• Mother’s maiden name
  
Can a voter get a free Voter ID card even if the voter has one of the other forms of
acceptable photo ID?
No.

What if a voter needs transportation to the Circuit Clerk’s Office to get the
Mississippi Voter Identifi­cation card?
FREE transportation will be available to voters who need help getting a Mississippi Voter
Identification card. For more information about this program, contact the Secretary of State’s Voter
ID toll-free hotline at 1-855-868-3745 or 1-844-678-6837; visit www.MSVoterID.ms.gov or email
MSVoterID@sos.ms.gov.