POPLARVILLE — Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann spoke to Pearl River County Circuit Court employees about the new voter identification cards on Monday afternoon.

A camera and equipment were installed by the state at the courthouse so the circuit court could issue free Mississippi voter identification cards for residents without a photo ID.

Beginning with primary elections on June 3, 2014, all individuals wanting to vote must present a valid photo ID at the voting poll. Individuals voting in person by absentee ballot prior to an election falling on a day when he or she will be out of town, also will be required to show a valid photo ID.

Hosemann said the following photo IDs may be used to vote: a driver’s license, a photo ID issued by a branch, department or entity of the State of Mississippi or the United States, a United States passport, a government employee ID card, a firearms license, a student photo ID issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college or community college, a U.S. military ID, or a tribal photo ID.

He also said an expired photo ID may be used on Election Day.

Those who don’t have one of the photo IDs listed above are eligible to receive a voter ID card free of charge, Hosemann said.

He said the card is for voting purposes only and prominently displays the photo, name, address, and county of the voter.

Hosemann said when seeking a photo ID, an individual must bring with them one of the following documents to receive a free voter ID card if they are eligible: 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, or a utility bill issued within the preceding six months, bank statement issued within the preceding six months, a paycheck issued within the preceding six months, government check issued within the preceding six months, IRS Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement issued within the current calendar year as long as includes the voter’s name and current address.

The new voter ID law was passed in 2012 after more than 62 percent voters approved a citizen-initiated Constitutional Amendment, which requires eligible voters to present a photo ID before casting a ballot in person, said the Secretary of State’s website.

If an individual doesn’t have transportation to the Circuit Court office and needs a voter ID card, he or she can call 1-855-868-3745. Transportation will be provided and arranged for free by the state.

The Circuit Court will begin issuing voter ID cards in January.