Mississippi's voter ID law could be example for nation

Mississippi might be an example to the rest of the nation on voter identification.

The Mississippi voter ID law received its shakedown cruise in the June 3 primary elections and passed muster with only a few issues.

Of the 397,822 ballots cast, 513 voters did not have a photo ID compliant with the law and 177 returned with ID later to have their votes counted. Missing the Tuesday deadline were 298 voters whose ballots were rejected because the voter never returned with an acceptable ID. Thirteen more were rejected for other reasons.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said the success of the new law is proof the state doesn’t need federal oversight of its elections and redistricting.

“What this means … is over 99.9 percent of Mississippians cast their ballot with a voter ID,” Hosemann said. “No other state I’ve ever seen has shown that kind of response. We’re very pleased with the number,s and I think it reflects that Mississippi is able to conduct its own elections and have people show up with the constitutionally required documents without any missteps.”

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