The primary election for 4th Congressional District U.S. House of Representatives and a U.S. Senate seat will be Tuesday, June 3.
For the first time, all voters will be required to present a valid Photo ID before they can vote. This subject has been repeated many times since the announcement that the law would be enforced; but there still remain many people who are confused about what constitutes a “Valid Photo ID.”
Any one of the following types of photo IDs may be used on Election Day for voter identification purposes:
1. A driver’s license
2. A photo ID card issued by a branch, department or entity of the State of Mississippi
3. A U.S. passport
4. A government employee identification card
5. A firearms license
6. A student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college or community/junior college (private college IDs not acceptable)
7. A U.S. 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
An expired photo ID is acceptable on Election Day as long as it is not more than ten (10) years old.
If a voter does not possess any of the above forms of ID, a Mississippi Voter Identification Card will be provided free of charge from the Circuit Clerk’s office in Poplarville.
If you need free transportation assistance to the clerk’s office, call toll free 1-844-678-6831.
The name on your photo ID must match the name in the poll book.
Common sense should prevail here.
If your name is a variation of a name like Bill or Jack, that is acceptable, woman’s maiden name should also not affect validity of the ID.
If you used your middle name to register and your photo ID shows only an initial (John C. you’re called Carl,) that is not considered valid and must be changed prior to the election.
If on Election Day you forget your ID or it is deemed invalid, you may still cast a paper ballot.
You will then be required to bring your valid ID to the Circuit Clerk’s office within 5 days after voting or your ballot will not be counted.
Absentee voting is already underway.
We urge all Democrats over 65 to vote absentee.
Many times our Senior Citizens do not have a ride on Election Day, so early voting by Absentee Ballot will guarantee you vote.
You can call the Circuit Clerk’s office to request an Absentee Ballot be mailed to you or you can vote in person at the clerk’s office.
You must show your valid photo ID when you vote in person.
Voting at the clerk’s office continues every day during business hours and on Saturday, May 24 and Saturday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do that is by not voting.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

By Agnes Dalton